Comparison of hinged and contoured rods for occipitocervical arthrodesis in adults: A clinical study

Kingsley O Abode-Iyamah; Brian J Dlouhy; Alejandro J Lopez; Arnold H Menezes; Patrick W Hitchon; Nader S Dahdaleh

doi:10.4103/0974-8237.188415

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Comparison of hinged and contoured rods for occipitocervical arthrodesis in adults: A clinical study

Journal article

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Comparison of hinged and contoured rods for occipitocervical arthrodesis in adults: A clinical study

Kingsley O Abode-Iyamah, Brian J Dlouhy, Alejandro J Lopez, Arnold H Menezes, Patrick W Hitchon and Nader S Dahdaleh

Journal of craniovertebral junction and spine, Vol.7(3), pp.171-175

07/2016

DOI: 10.4103/0974-8237.188415

PMCID: PMC4994149

PMID: 27630479

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Abstract

A rigid construct that employs an occipital plate and upper cervical screws and rods is the current standard treatment for craniovertebral junction (CVJ) instability. A rod is contoured to accommodate the occipitocervical angle. Fatigue failure has been associated these acute bends. Hinged rod systems have been developed to obviate intraoperative rod contouring. The aim of this study is to determine the safety and efficacy of the hinged rod system in occipitocervical fusion. This study retrospectively evaluated 39 patients who underwent occipitocervical arthrodesis. Twenty patients were treated with hinged rods versus 19 with contoured rods. Clinical and radiographic data were compared and analyzed. Preoperative and postoperative Nurick and Frankel scores were similar between both groups. The use of allograft, autograft or bone morphogenetic protein was similar in both groups. The average number of levels fused was 4.1 (±2.4) and 3.4 (±2) for hinged and contoured rods, respectively. The operative time, estimated blood loss, and length of stay were similar between both groups. The occiput to C2 angle was similarly maintained in both groups and all patients demonstrated no movement across the CVJ on flexion-extension X-rays during their last follow-up. The average follow-up for the hinged and contoured rod groups was 12.2 months and 15.9 months, respectively. Hinged rods provide a safe and effective alternative to contoured rods during occipitocervical arthrodesis.

fusion

occiput

Craniovertebral

rod

hinged

instrumentation

occipitocervical

Details

Title: Subtitle: Comparison of hinged and contoured rods for occipitocervical arthrodesis in adults: A clinical study
Creators: Kingsley O Abode-Iyamah - Department of Neurological Surgery, The University of Iowa, Carver School of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
Brian J Dlouhy - Department of Neurological Surgery, The University of Iowa, Carver School of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
Alejandro J Lopez - Department of Neurological Surgery, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
Arnold H Menezes - Department of Neurological Surgery, The University of Iowa, Carver School of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
Patrick W Hitchon - Department of Neurological Surgery, The University of Iowa, Carver School of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
Nader S Dahdaleh - Department of Neurological Surgery, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal of craniovertebral junction and spine, Vol.7(3), pp.171-175
DOI: 10.4103/0974-8237.188415
PMID: 27630479
PMCID: PMC4994149
NLM abbreviation: J Craniovertebr Junction Spine
ISSN: 0974-8237
eISSN: 0976-9285
Publisher: India
Language: English
Date published: 07/2016
Academic Unit: Roy J. Carver Department of Biomedical Engineering; Stead Family Department of Pediatrics; Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Neurosurgery; Otolaryngology
Record Identifier: 9984040383002771

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