Guevara et al: Ex vivo comparison of pin placement with patient-specific drill guides or freehand technique in canine cadaveric spines
Veterinary Surgery 2, 2024

🔍 Key Findings:

• Sample: 24 canine cadavers, 477 total pins across 240 vertebrae.
• Technique Comparison: 3D printed guides (3DPG) vs freehand (FH).
• Acceptable Placement Rates: 3DPG = 87.5%, FH = 69.8% (p < .0001).
• Odds Ratio for FH: 0.28 (95% CI 0.16–0.47), significantly less likely to yield acceptable placement.
• Worst Accuracy Locations: T10 (OR 0.10), T11 (OR 0.35).
• Surgeon Impact: Surgeon 2 outperformed others (OR 9.61, p = .001).
• Modified Zdichavsky Classification used to score implant accuracy (Grades I–IIIb).
• Primary Benefit of 3DPG: Increased safety and precision, regardless of surgeon experience.