World Neurosurg
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Spinal surgeries are the leading causes for patient settlement issues. Recent European Medical Device Regulations aims to reduce complications by enforcing that surgical tools are validated before clinical use. Human cadavers are favored in preclinical use, but due to anatomic variance, decay, and scarce supply, alternative synthetic and animal models are used. This study evaluates the fidelity and validity of porcine models in training and assessment of microsurgical decompressive techniques in the lumbar spine. ⋯ Pigs are representative for assessing microsurgical decompression techniques in the lower lumbar spine. The novel "en bloc" pig model can be an asset for industries and clinicians during assessment and training of new spinal techniques.