M. Macmillan et al., LUMBAR AND LUMBOSACRAL FUSIONS USING COTREL-DUBOUSSET PEDICLE SCREWS AND RODS, Spine (Philadelphia, Pa. 1976), 19(4), 1994, pp. 430-434
The first 50 consecutive patients stabilized with Cotrel-Dubousset rod
s for lumbar or lumbosacral fusions were followed for an average of 2
years. The occurrence of fusion, maintenance of alignment, and rate of
hardware complications were examined. There were 28 men and 22 women,
ages 18-87 years, and 133 vertebral levels. Twenty-nine sets of 5-mm,
and 21 pairs of 7-mm, rods were placed. Two hundred and sixty-eight p
edicle screws were used. Forty-eight out of 50 (96%) patients demonstr
ated successful arthrodesis after their initial procedure. One pedicle
screw became separated from the rod. No rods migrated or broke. Seven
(2.6%) pedicle screws bent and 3 (1%) broke. Large and small diameter
Cotrel-Dubousset rods allowed short segment lumbar and lumbosacral fu
sion with a high degree of reliability.