Osteogenesis imperfecta: results obtained with the Sofield method of surgical treatment.

The authors report the results obtained in thirteen patients with osteogenesis imperfecta who were treated by the Sofield operation. This operation is indicated both in the congenital and delayed forms of the disease. The results are promising: prevention of deformities and fractures in a high percentage of cases, recovery of the ability to walk in all the patients. The incidence of complications was low, infection being the most serious. Although the use of extending rods reduces the number of reinterventions, it does not appear to improve the results and carries the risk of a greater number of complications. However, the authors have no experience of this particular technique.