A NOVEL NUCLEOTOMY MODEL WITH INTACT ANULUS FIBROSUS TO TEST INTERVERTEBRAL DISC REGENERATION STRATEGIES

Summary StatementTo test regenerative therapies for the intervertebral disc it is necessary to create a cavity in the nucleus polposus mantaining the annulus fibrosus intact. The transpedicular mechanical nucleotomy represents the best method for this purpose.IntroductionNew cells/hydrogel based treatments for intervertebral disc (IVD) regeneration need to be tested on animal models before clinical translation. Ovine IVD represents a good model but doesn't allow the injection of a significant volume into intact IVD.The objective of the study was to compare different methods to create a cavity into ovine nucleus pulposus (NP) by enzymatic digestion (E), mechanical discectomy (M) and a combination of both (E+M), as a model to study IVD regeneration strategies with intact anulus fibrosus (AF).MethodsOvine lumbar functional spinal units (FSU) were used. The transpedicular approach via the endplate route (2mm tunnel) was performed to access the NP with AF intact. FSUs were treated through M (Arthroscopic shave...