The Precise Bending Rod Technique: A Novel Method for Precise Correction of Ankylosing Spondylitis Kyphosis

To report a new technique.

To introduce a new method of precise correction controlling for ankylosing spondylitis kyphosis.

The exact angle method is excellent for calculating the pedicle subtraction osteotomy angle but is difficult to perform during surgery. In this study, the precise rod bending technique was proposed as a new method for precise correction controlling for ankylosing spondylitis kyphosis through illustrative cases.

A preoperative plan using the exact angle method, with exact osteotomy angle and level determined, was prepared using a whole-spine lateral x-ray film. Then a precise contoured rod imitating the predicted spine correction was obtained using the lateral spine x-ray film that was of the actual size of the trunk. This rod model was disinfected and used for precisely controlling kyphosis correction in ankylosing spondylitis patients with good cervical spine and hip joints.

Four ankylosing spondylitis kyphosis patients were successfully corrected using the precise bending rod technique. Their mean age was 31 years, the mean operative time was 247 minutes (160-320 min), the mean volume of bleeding was 1482 mL (727-2700 mL), and the average follow-up period was 13.8 months (9-17 mo). All patients regained their sagittal balance (all C7-SSVL≤2 cm). The predicted ostetomy degree was accurate to within 2 degrees compared with the achieved degree at the osteotomy site. No complications occurred during or after surgery.

The precise rod bending technique is a simple, effective method for precise correction of kyphosis caused by ankylosing spondylitis. The surgical result corresponded to the preoperative planning.