Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40119913›Full record

ArticleArchives of orthopaedic and trauma surgery2025

Odontoid process type II and III fracture fixation using bone allograft screws versus cannulated screws: a biomechanical study.

Emir Benca, Kenneth P van Knegsel, Maximilian Pestel, Ivan Zderic, Jan Caspar, Lena Hirtler, Andreas Strassl, Dominic Gehweiler, Sonja Zehetmayer, Boyko Gueorguiev and 3 more

Abstract readComparative Study
In one paragraph

Article in Archives of orthopaedic and trauma surgery, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

13 authors.

Emir BencaDepartment of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18- 20, Vienna, 1090, Austria. emir.benca@muv.ac.at.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9029-7172
Kenneth P van KnegselAO Research Institute Davos, Clavadelerstrasse 8, Davos, 7270, Switzerland.
Maximilian PestelDepartment of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18- 20, Vienna, 1090, Austria.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0006-0824-6701
Ivan ZdericAO Research Institute Davos, Clavadelerstrasse 8, Davos, 7270, Switzerland.
Jan CasparAO Research Institute Davos, Clavadelerstrasse 8, Davos, 7270, Switzerland.
Lena HirtlerDivision of Anatomy, Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Strasse 13, Vienna, 1090, Austria.
Andreas StrasslDepartment of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, Vienna, 1090, Austria.
Dominic GehweilerAO Research Institute Davos, Clavadelerstrasse 8, Davos, 7270, Switzerland.
Sonja ZehetmayerCenter for Medical Data Science, Medical University of Vienna, Spitalgasse 23, Vienna, 1090, Austria.
Boyko GueorguievAO Research Institute Davos, Clavadelerstrasse 8, Davos, 7270, Switzerland.
Harald WidhalmDepartment of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18- 20, Vienna, 1090, Austria.
Reinhard WindhagerDepartment of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18- 20, Vienna, 1090, Austria.
Peter VargaAO Research Institute Davos, Clavadelerstrasse 8, Davos, 7270, Switzerland.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionFractures of the odontoid process are associated with high non-union rates, challenging treatment, and high incidence of screw-related complications. The aim of this study was to compare the biomechanical competence of a single biointegrative bone allograft screw versus two conventional cannulated screws for odontoid fracture fixation. MATERIALS AND

methodsThe odontoid process of intact C2 vertebral specimens was subjected to quasi-static loading until fracture. Specimens with an Anderson and d'Alonzo type II or III fracture (n = 47) were fixated with either two conventional cannulated screws or with a single bone allograft screw. The constructs were biomechanically tested to failure in the same fashion as in their intact state. Stiffness, yield, and ultimate load were evaluated. The results were adjusted by age, sex, volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD), and the cross-sectional area ratio of cortical bone to total bone measured at the junction of the odontoid process with the vertebral body (Ct.Ar/Tt.Ar).

resultsStiffness, yield and ultimate load were restored in the cannulated screws group by 44 ± 10%, 46 ± 7%, and 46 ± 5% and in the bone allograft group by 50 ± 12%, 30 ± 9%, and 34 ± 6% (mean ± SE). There were no significant differences between the groups regarding the three mechanical outcomes (0.104 ≤ p ≤ 0.223). Positive significant relation was found between vBMD and stiffness in each group (0.248 ≤ R²≤0.273, 0.018 ≤ p ≤ 0.038), as well as between Ct.Ar/Tt.Ar and stiffness (R²=0.218, p = 0.033), vBMD and ultimate load (R²=0.430, p = 0.001) and ultimate loadand vBMD (R²=0.315, p = 0.010) in the cannulated screws group.

conclusionsThe primary stability of odontoid fracture fixation is determined mainly by the quality of the local bone and independent of the fixation technique. From the biomechanical perspective, the lower mean values for the yield and ultimate load restored in the bone allograft group compared to the cannulated screws group should be compensated by lower peak load during the patient's rehabilitation process.

Indexed as

Bone ScrewsBone TransplantationFracture Fixation, InternalOdontoid ProcessSpinal FracturesAdultAgedAllograftsBiomechanical PhenomenaFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedBiomechanicsBone allograft screwC2 vertebraCannulated screwOdontoid process fracture

Identifiers

PMID40119913
PMCPMC11929696

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