BACKGROUND Posterior instrumentation techniques are commonly employed for cervicothoracic fixation. The pedicles of the upper thoracic vertebrae can typically accommodate larger diameter screws than the subaxial cervical vertebrae. In many construct systems, this requires the use of a tapered rod, which can be technically challenging to place. METHOD Using a three-dimensionally printed biomimetic spine simulator, we illustrate the stepwise process of instrumentation and tapered rod placement across the cervicothoracic junction (CTJ). CONCLUSION Tapered rod systems can augment the biomechanical stability of cervicothoracic constructs. Ease of rod placement across the CTJ hinges upon a systematic method of instrumentation.

中文翻译：

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我该怎么做：在颈胸廓交界处放置锥形杆，以增加后部构造。

背景技术后路固定技术通常用于颈胸腔固定。上胸椎椎弓根通常可以容纳比亚轴颈椎椎骨更大直径的螺钉。在许多构造系统中，这需要使用锥形杆，而锥形杆的放置在技术上可能具有挑战性。方法使用三维打印的仿生脊柱模拟器，我们演示了逐步测量过程以及整个颈胸交界处（CTJ）的锥形杆放置过程。结论锥形杆系统可以增强颈胸腔结构的生物力学稳定性。跨CTJ轻松放置杆取决于系统的仪器方法。