Biomechanical Analysis of Revision Strategies for Rod Fracture in Pedicle Subtraction Osteotomy

• Published in: Neurosurgery Vol. 69; no. 1; pp. 164 - 172
• Main Authors: Scheer, Justin K, Tang, Jessica A, Deviren, Vedat, Buckley, Jenni M, Pekmezci, Murat, McClellan, R Trigg, Ames, Christopher P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hagerstown, MD Oxford University Press 01.07.2011; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc
• Subjects: Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Biomechanical Phenomena; Bone Screws; Female; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Neurosurgery; Osteotomy - methods; Outcome Assessment (Health Care); Reoperation - methods; Spinal Fractures - surgery; Spinal Fusion - methods; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Satellite rods; Spine biomechanics; Revision; Spinal rod failure; Pedicle subtraction osteotomy; Spinal deformity; Nervous system diseases; Osteotomy; Spine; Rod; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Fracture; Trauma; Biomechanics; Subtraction; Surgery
• ISSN: 0148-396X; 1524-4040
• DOI: 10.1227/NEU.0b013e31820f362a

Abstract BACKGROUND: Pseudoarthrosis after pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO) can require revision surgery due to posterior rod failure, and the stiffness of these revision constructs has not been quantified. OBJECTIVE: To compare the multidirectional bending stiffness of 7 revision strategies following rod failure. METHODS: Seven fresh-frozen human spines (T11-pelvis) were tested as follows: (1) posterior instrumentation from T12-S1 (excluding L3) with iliac fixation and L3 PSO; (2) inline connectors after rod breakage at L3 (L2 screws removed for access); (3) cross-links connecting rods above and below inline connectors; satellite rods (4) parallel, (5) 45° anterior, and (6) 45° posterior to original rods; 45°posterior with cross-links connecting (7) original and (8) satellite rods. Groups 3 to 8 were tested in random order. Nondestructive pure moment flexion-extension (FE), lateral bending (LB), and axial rotation (AR) tests were conducted to 7.5 Nm; 3D motion tracking monitored the primary range of motion. RESULTS: Addition of inline connectors alone restored stiffness in FE and LB (P > .05), but not in AR (P < .05). Satellite rods (groups 4 to 6) restored stiffness in FE and LB (P > .05), but not in AR (P < .05) and were not significantly different from one another (P > .05). The addition of cross-links (groups 3, 7, and 8) restored stiffness in all bending modes (P > .05) and were significantly greater than inline connectors alone in AR (P < .05). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that these revision strategies can restore stiffness without entire rod replacement. Failure of AR stiffness restoration can be mitigated with cross-links. The positioning of the satellite rods is not an important factor in strengthening the revision.