Interobserver reliability of the Gehweiler classification and treatment strategies of isolated atlas fractures: an internet-based multicenter survey among spine surgeons.

Purpose: Atlas (C1) fractures are commonly rated according to the Gehweiler classification, but literature on its reliability is scarce. In addition, evaluation of fracture stability and choosing the most appropriate treatment regime for C1-injuries are challenging. This study aimed to investigate t...

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Published in:European Journal of Trauma & Emergency Surgery Vol. 48; no. 1; pp. 601 - 612
Main Authors: Laubach, Markus, Pishnamaz, Miguel, Scholz, Matti, Spiegl, Ulrich, Sellei, Richard Martin, Herren, Christian, Hildebrand, Frank, Kobbe, Philipp
Format: diagnostic images pictorial research tables/charts Journal Article
Published: Springer Nature Feb2022
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
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      dt: Feb2022
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      pub: Springer Nature
      place: New York, New York
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        10.1007/s00068-020-01494-y
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        atl: Interobserver reliability of the Gehweiler classification and treatment strategies of isolated atlas fractures: an internet-based multicenter survey among spine surgeons.
      aug:
        au:
          Laubach, Markus
          Pishnamaz, Miguel
          Scholz, Matti
          Spiegl, Ulrich
          Sellei, Richard Martin
          Herren, Christian
          Hildebrand, Frank
          Kobbe, Philipp
        affil: Department of Orthopaedic Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany
      sug:
        subj:
          Interrater Reliability
          Fracture Fixation Methods
          Fractures Classification
          Cervical Atlas Injuries
          Human
          Descriptive Statistics
          Data Analysis Software
          kappa Statistic
      ab: Purpose: Atlas (C1) fractures are commonly rated according to the Gehweiler classification, but literature on its reliability is scarce. In addition, evaluation of fracture stability and choosing the most appropriate treatment regime for C1-injuries are challenging. This study aimed to investigate the interobserver reliability of the Gehweiler classification and to identify whether evaluation of fracture stability as well as the treatment of C1-fractures are consistent among spine surgeons. Methods: Computed tomography images of 34 C1-fractures and case-specific information were presented to six experienced spine surgeons. C1-fractures were graded according to the Gehweiler classification, and the suggested treatment regime was recorded in a questionnaire. For data analyses, SPSS was used, and interobserver reliability was calculated using Fleiss' kappa (κ) statistics. Results: We observed a moderate reliability for the Gehweiler classification (κ = 0.50), the evaluation of fracture stability (κ = 0.50), and whether a surgical or non-surgical therapy was indicated (κ = 0.53). Type 1, 2, 3a, and 5 fractures were rated stable and treated non-surgically. Type 3b fractures were rated unstable in 86.7% of cases and treated by surgery in 90% of cases. Atlas osteosynthesis was most frequently recommended (65.4%). Overall, 25.8% of type 4 fractures were rated unstable, and surgery was favoured in 25.8%. Conclusion: We found a moderate reliability for the Gehweiler classification and for the evaluation of fracture stability. In particular, diverging treatment strategies for type 3b fractures emphasise the necessity of further clinical and biomechanical investigations to determine the optimal treatment of unstable C1-fractures.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        diagnostic images
        pictorial
        research
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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