Lookup NU author(s): Professor Tom Joyce, Dr Simon Smith, Goksu Kandemir, Andrew Bowey
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STUDY DESIGN: Analysis of explanted MAGnetic Expansion Control (MAGEC) growing rods. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to quantify the rate of locking pin breakage in explanted MAGEC rods and compare with the manufacturer's data. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: On June 25, 2019, NuVasive released an Urgent Field Safety Notice stating that MAGEC rods manufactured before March 26, 2015 had a higher than expected locking pin breakage rate of 5%. For rods made on or after that date, no pin breakages had occurred. METHODS: From our independent explant database of 139 explanted MAGEC rods supplied from 10 UK spinal centers (Belfast, Bristol, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Exeter, Leeds, Newcastle, Nottingham, Oxford, and Sheffield) and one Danish center (Aarhus), we divided the rods into those manufactured before March 26, 2015, and those manufactured on or after that date. MAGEC rods were cut open to fully assess internal components including locking pins. From each of the two cohorts, 10 locking pins were selected at random and their diameters were measured using a micrometer. RESULTS: One hundred and five explanted MAGEC rods were made before March 26, 2015 and could be disassembled to allow the locking pin to be examined. Fifty-nine percent (62/105) of these locking pins had fractured. For the MAGEC rods manufactured on or after March 26, 2015, 21% (6/29) were found to have fractured locking pins. Locking pins in MAGEC rods made on or after March 26, 2015 were of a stronger material and a larger diameter. CONCLUSION: Fifty-nine percent of the locking pins in MAGEC rods manufactured before March 26, 2015 had fractured, far greater than the 5% stated in the Urgent Field Safety Notice. Locking pin fracture still occurred in MAGEC rods manufactured on or after that date, in 21% of cases. This contrasted with the 0% reported by the manufacturer.4.
Author(s): Joyce TJ, Smith SL, Kandemir G, Rushton PRP, Fender D, Bowey AJ, Gibson MJ
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Spine
Year: 2020
Volume: 45
Issue: 13
Pages: 872-876
Print publication date: 01/07/2020
Acceptance date: 09/01/2020
ISSN (print): 0362-2436
ISSN (electronic): 1528-1159
Publisher: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins
URL: https://doi.org/10.1097/BRS.0000000000003439
DOI: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000003439
PubMed id: 32539289
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