Copyright: ©Author(s) 2026. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license. No commercial re-use. See permissions. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc.
Finite element analysis of a novel modular support system for lumbar reconstruction following vertebral column resection
Andhika Yudistira, Respati Suryanto Dradjat, Edi Mustamsir, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya-Dr. Saiful Anwar General Hospital, Malang 65112, Jawa Timur, Indonesia
Mochamad Agus Choiron, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang 65112, Jawa Timur, Indonesia
Yuyun Yueniwati, Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya-Dr. Saiful Anwar General Hospital, Malang 65112, Jawa Timur, Indonesia
Hidayat Sujuti, Department of Biochemistry and Biomolecular, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang 65112, Jawa Timur, Indonesia
I Ketut Suyasa, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Udayana University-Prof. Dr. IGNG Ngoerah General Hospital, Denpasar 80113, Bali, Indonesia
Author contributions: Yudistira A, Dradjat RS, Choiron MA, and Suyasa IK were responsible for the conceptualization and overall study design; Yudistira A and Choiron MA conducted the finite element modeling and simulations; Yudistira A, Dradjat RS, and Mustamsir E conducted the mechanical testing and data acquisition; Yueniwati Y performed the radiological data acquisition and morphometric analysis; Yudistira A provided expertise in material properties, biochemical considerations, broader methodological consultation, and drafted the manuscript; Yudistira A, Dradjat RS, Choiron MA, and Suyasa IK performed the data analysis and interpretation; Dradjat RS, Mustamsir E, Choiron MA, Yueniwati Y, Sujuti H, and Suyasa IK critically revised the manuscript for important intellectual content. All authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript.
AI contribution statement: AI tools were utilized solely as writing and language assistance for manuscript drafting and formatting, in accordance with institutional guidelines (Universitas Brawijaya Regulation). The authors declare that AI was not used for study design, data generation, data analysis, or drawing scientific conclusions, and the authors assume full responsibility for all content presented in this manuscript.
Institutional review board statement: The study was reviewed and approved by the Health Research Ethics Committee of Dr. Saiful Anwar General Hospital, Malang, Indonesia, No. 400/083/K.3/102.7/2025.
Informed consent statement: The requirement for informed consent was waived because the study utilized retrospective, fully anonymized computed tomography imaging data for 3-dimensional computational modeling without involving direct human interaction or identifying personal health information.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
STROBE statement: The authors have read the STROBE Statement-checklist of items, and the manuscript was prepared and revised according to the STROBE Statement-checklist of items.
Data sharing statement: Technical finite element models and anonymized simulation datasets generated during this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Corresponding author: Andhika Yudistira, MD, PhD, Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma
Received: June 16, 2026
Revised: August 2, 2026
Accepted: November 2, 2026
Published online: November 18, 2026
Processing time: 147 Days and 16.8 Hours
Revised: August 2, 2026
Accepted: November 2, 2026
Published online: November 18, 2026
Processing time: 147 Days and 16.8 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: The vertebral column resection modular support system (VCR-MSS) is a morphometry-guided modular implant specifically designed to match Indonesian lumbar anatomy. Using a 2-stage finite element analysis framework comprising an ASTM F1717-21-based model and a vertebra-based model, we demonstrated that the VCR-MSS exhibited lower total deformation than a conventional mesh cage under all loading conditions. In addition, the VCR-MSS reduced the mechanical demand on the posterior rods, indicating more favorable load sharing within the construct. Collectively, these findings suggest that the VCR-MSS functions as an integrated reconstruction system rather than simply as an anterior spacer.