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Creation of an ovine model of progressive structural lordo-scoliosis using a unilateral laminar tether

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Abstract

Purpose

To characterise changes in vertebral dimension in an ovine model of scoliosis and determine whether a reproducible curvature could be created that would be suitable for future testing of curve modifying surgical implants.

Methods

At a mean age of 5 weeks, 28 Scottish blackface sheep were anaesthetised. A 4 mm braided synthetic tape was laid under the left lamina of T5 and L1 and tightened to ‘hand’ tension. A scoliosis was then created by binding the six lowest ribs on the same side just distal to their rib angles and resecting a segment from each of the opposite ribs. Radiographs were taken at 4 weekly intervals, and CT images at 2, 5 and 7 months post tethering, to determine multi-planar curve progression. 20 animals were assessed at age 3 months, 12 at 41 weeks and 10 at 1 year with comparisons to five control animals.

Results

A significant bi-planar deformity was produced in all animals (scoliosis 32 ± 13º and lordosis 53 ± 21º 2 months post tethering; mean ± SD, n = 22). During the next 5 months the scoliosis decreased slightly (p = 0.08) but the sagittal deformity remained static: 21 ± 18° and 53 ± 19°, respectively (n = 12). The values at 7 months were associated with a mean 6 ± 4º rotational deformity. There was approximately twice as much growth in the right anterior aspects of the apical vertebrae as in the left posterior.

Conclusions

With appropriate care it was possible to obtain a reproducible curvature in immature sheep. The methods described are suitable for use in studies of growth modulation and other spinal devices.

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Acknowledgments

Grant funding was received from The Medical Research Council, UK. Special thanks are due to Joan Docherty at the University of Edinburgh for laboratory assistance and to Eddie Channon at Chirostat Consulting, Nottingham.

Conflict of interest

None.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Galway Clinic, Doughiska, Ireland

    John G. Burke

  2. The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH25 9RG, Scotland, UK

    Enzo Vettorato, Gudrun Schöffmann & R. Eddie Clutton

  3. University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210, Vienna, Austria

    Gudrun Schöffmann

  4. Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 9SY, Scotland, UK

    Tim S. Drew

  5. The Royal Infirmary and University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SU, Scotland, UK

    J. N. Alastair Gibson

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  1. John G. Burke
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  2. Enzo Vettorato
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  4. R. Eddie Clutton
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  5. Tim S. Drew
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Correspondence to J. N. Alastair Gibson.

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Burke, J.G., Vettorato, E., Schöffmann, G. et al. Creation of an ovine model of progressive structural lordo-scoliosis using a unilateral laminar tether. Eur Spine J 24, 1382–1390 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-014-3609-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-014-3609-z

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