A COMPARATIVE-STUDY OF FIXATION TECHNIQUES FOR TYPE-II FRACTURES OF THE ODONTOID PROCESS

Citation
G. Graziano et al., A COMPARATIVE-STUDY OF FIXATION TECHNIQUES FOR TYPE-II FRACTURES OF THE ODONTOID PROCESS, Spine (Philadelphia, Pa. 1976), 18(16), 1993, pp. 2383-2387
Citations number
NO
Categorie Soggetti
Orthopedics
ISSN journal
03622436
Volume
18
Issue
16
Year of publication
1993
Pages
2383 - 2387
Database
ISI
SICI code
0362-2436(1993)18:16<2383:ACOFTF>2.0.ZU;2-C
Abstract
Primary screw fixation of a Type II odontoid fracture or non-union is an attractive alternative to posterior atlanto-axial arthrodesis in th at normal cervical motion can be maintained. Eight cervical cadaver sp ines, ranging in age from 17-90 years, were used for study. Type II fr actures of the dens were created using an osteotome. Simulated fractur es were fixed using one or two 3.5-mm bone screws. After testing each screw fixation technique, the screws were removed and a posterior C1-C 2 brooks sublaminar wiring was performed using four 18-gauge wires wit h wooden blocks to simulate bone graft. No significant differences wer e found between bending and torsional stiffnesses for the one-screw an d two-screw specimens. No significant differences were found between o ne- and two-screw fixation when compared with primary C1-C2 wiring in torsion. One- or two-screw fixation was as stiff as primary C1-C2 wiri ng in bending. One or two screws offers similar stability for fixation for a dens fracture. One- and two-screw fixation is at least as stiff as primary C1-C2 wiring in torsion and one- or two-screw fixation is stiffer than primary C1-C2 wiring in bending.