Jackson Jones1, Jung Yoo, Robert Hart. 1. Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA.
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN: Case report. OBJECTIVE: To report the occurrence of the rare complication of fibular strut graft fractures in 2 patients. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Fatigue fracture of fibular strut allograft following anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion has rarely been reported. METHODS: Two patients sustained delayed fractures of their anterior fibular strut allografts following combined three-level cervical corpectomy and posterior instrumented fusion at 9 and 17 months after surgery. Both patients had successfully fused both ends of their anterior strut grafts. RESULTS: Both patients were successfully treated by revision posterior instrumented fusion without revision of the anterior strut. These patients' allografts were harvested from the same donor, a 69-year-old woman. The tissue bank involved does not use donor age or osteoporosis as exclusion criteria for structural allograft donation. CONCLUSIONS: The fact that this relatively rare complication occurred in 2 patients who shared the same donor suggests that the mechanical strength of the donor allograft may have played a significant role in both fractures.
STUDY DESIGN: Case report. OBJECTIVE: To report the occurrence of the rare complication of fibular strut graft fractures in 2 patients. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Fatigue fracture of fibular strut allograft following anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion has rarely been reported. METHODS: Two patients sustained delayed fractures of their anterior fibular strut allografts following combined three-level cervical corpectomy and posterior instrumented fusion at 9 and 17 months after surgery. Both patients had successfully fused both ends of their anterior strut grafts. RESULTS: Both patients were successfully treated by revision posterior instrumented fusion without revision of the anterior strut. These patients' allografts were harvested from the same donor, a 69-year-old woman. The tissue bank involved does not use donor age or osteoporosis as exclusion criteria for structural allograft donation. CONCLUSIONS: The fact that this relatively rare complication occurred in 2 patients who shared the same donor suggests that the mechanical strength of the donor allograft may have played a significant role in both fractures.
Authors: Joshua M Shaw; Shawn A Hunter; J Christopher Gayton; Gregory P Boivin; Michael J Prayson Journal: Clin Orthop Relat Res Date: 2011-08-24 Impact factor: 4.176