Spinal fusion in situ in osteogenesis imperfecta.

Osteogenesis imperfecta in its most severe forms has a devastating effect on the peripheral and central skeleton, and patients are unable to walk. Spinal deformity is common and causes difficulty in sitting, pain and potentially life-threatening complications. Instrumented spinal fusion might be considered the treatment of choice, but the bone may be too weak to sustain the implants and autogenous bone graft is poor in quantity and quality. We present the preliminary results of a technique of fusion without instrumentation and using Keil bone graft in 5 patients with severe osteogenesis imperfecta. The curve was stabilised and back pain relieved.