activ L®
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Aesculap Spine activ L® Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Prosthesis Operating technique

Safety Information Product Features Patient Positioning Skin Incision Anatomical Structures Spike Version vs. Keel Version Size Estimation Instrumentation – Spike Version D.1.1 Discectomy and Segment Mobilization Parallel Distraction, Height Measurement and Size Verification Midline Marking Instrumentation – Keel Version D.2.1 Chisels for Keel Fixation Correction of Implant Position and Inlay Revision E.1 Correction of Implant Position Inlay Revision Implant Overview Instrument Overview

A.1 Product Features Less risk of over-distraction. Use also possible in low disc space cases: Numerous surgeons started to use activ L® because of the low minimum height of the implant, which gives the option to treat patients without overdistraction even if the disc space is very small. 8.5 mm Primary stability of spike version is comparable (slightly better) to keel version: Biomechanical tests show that the spike version has higher pull-out strength in anterior-posterior direction then the keel version. Push-Out-Load in N of activ L® Spike Version and Prodisc (Keel Version) (N) 1400...

A.2 Safety Information Under no circumstances may modular implant components from different suppliers be combined. Previously implanted devices may not be reused. Damage to the load-bearing structures of the implant may cause the loosening of components, their dislocation and migration, and other severe complications. Postoperatively, the implant should be inspected on a regular basis to determine whether it is functioning properly. A.3 Sterility The implant components are provided in protective packaging that is labeled to indicate its contents. The implant components are provided sterile....

B.1 Size Estimation Assess the largest possible implant bed area using ct-scan diagnostics with x-ray templates and check the scale factor of the used template. Control the anatomy of the major vessels, especially the left common iliac vein. Is it possible to mobilize the vessels sufficiently and to move them away from your approach? Would a pararectus approach be easier? Warning: m There is a risk of selecting the wrong size of the prosthesis plate if an X-ray template with wrong scale is used. m Be sure to use an X-ray template of the correct scale. m Preoperative planning using X-ray...

C.1 Marking the Approach Anterior Approach L4/L5, L5/S1 To mark the incision a lateral image is taken with a metal rod parallel to the defective disc compartment. The extension of this marking corresponds to the midpoint of the skin incision. The skin incision is marked under x-ray control so that the incision lies along the extended line of the intervertebral space. 5 – 8 cm is usually adequate for single level treatment. C.2 Skin Incision The approach should be retroperitoneal. Transperitoneal approaches carry a considerably higher complication risk (ileus, lesion of the presacral...

C.3 Approach Midline Approach L5/S1 A midline approach is always used for the L5/S1 level. A midline approach or a pararectus approach (always left) are possible in the L3/4 and L4/5 segments. A Pfannenstiel´s incision or a linear midline incision are possible. Both sides are possible for the approach. If no other level is to be operated on, the right side may be preferred. Note: Advantages of the midline approach: m Considerably easier implant positioning, less retraction of the abdominal muscles required. Note: Advantages of the pararectus approach: m Simpler retroperitoneal preparation,...

C.4 Anatomical structures Midline + Pararectus Approach L5/S1 + L3/4, L4/5 Anterior transperitoneal Anterior retroperitoneal Antero-lateral retroperitoneal Antero-lateral transmucular

C.4 Anatomical Structures Midline Approach L5/S1 After the skin incision: linear incision of the anterior fascia of the rectus abdominis muscle a few millimeters paramedially. A blunt instrument is used to push the peritoneum away in a medial direction, first from the rear surface of the muscle and then from the lateral abdominal wall. Midline Approach: As described for ventral L5/S1. The essential difference from the L5/S1 level is that the rectus abdominis muscle in the central and upper abdomen also possesses a rear fascia which it does not have in the lower abdomen. Since this can only...

Pararectus Approach L3/4, L4/5 A blunt instrument is used to push the peritoneum away from the abdominal wall whilst monitoring the epigastric vessels. The ureter is prepared away from the operating site together with the peritoneum. The ventrolateral spine is exposed at the anterior margin of the psoas muscle. The neighbouring segment vessels are ligated and dissected, including the ascending lumbar vein for the approach to the L4/5 segment, so that the major vessels can be mobilized to the opposite side. The sympathetic nerve is mobilized in a lateral direction. If possible the situs is...

C.5 Spike Version vs. Keel Version Generally the use of the spike version is indicated. Biomechanical tests show that the spike version shows comparable pull-out strength in anterior-posterior direction then the keel version. This is due to the convex shape of the upper plate and the resistance of the three spikes compared to the resistance of only one keel. The spike version allows an intraoperative correction in both the lateral and anteriorposterior direction. There is less damage to the vertebral endplates with the spike compared to the keel version. Therefore less risk for migration of...

C.6 S1 Design The S1 plate is an additional option for the surgeon to address patient`s anatomy. There are patients who have a sacrum with a rather round or egg shaped cross-sectional footprint. For those patients the S1 plate has rounded posterior edges and can therefore be placed close to the posterior rim of the S1 vertebra without these edges protruding into the spinal canal. This might enable the surgeon to use a larger size compared to the standard plate, which reduces the risk of subsidence and nerve root irritation. S1 Plate spike version The S1 plate is just an option, there are of...