Are the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Für Osteosynthesefragen (AO) Principles for Long Bone Fractures Applicable to 3-Column Osteotomy to Reduce Rod Fracture Rates?

Objective: The aim was to determine whether applying Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen (AO) principles for external fixation of long bone fracture to patients with a 3-column osteotomy (3CO) would be associated with reduced rod fracture (RF) rates. Summary of Background Data: AO dictate principles to follow when fixating long bone fractures: (1) decrease bone-rod distance; (2) increase the number of connecting rods; (3) increase the diameter of rods; (4) increase the working length of screws; (5) use multiaxial fixation. We hypothesized that applying these principles to patients undergoing a 3CO reduces the rate of RF. Methods: Patients were categorized as having RF versus no rod fracture (non-RF). Details on location and type of instrumentation were collected. Dedicated software was used to calculate the distance between osteotomy site and adjacent pedicle screws, angle between screws and the distance between the osteotomy site and rod. Classic sagittal spinopelvic parameters were evaluated. Results: The study included 170 patients (34=RF, 136=non-RF). There was no difference in age (P=0.224), sagittal vertical axis correction (P=0.287), or lumbar lordosis correction (P=0.36). There was no difference in number of screws cephalad (P=0.62) or caudal (P=0.31) to 3CO site. There was a lower rate of RF for patients with>2 rods versus 2 rods (P
Source: Journal of Spinal Disorders and Techniques - Category: Surgery Tags: Primary Research Source Type: research