Assessment of the Accuracy of the AO Spine-TL Classification for Thoracolumbar Spine Fractures Using the AO Surgery Reference Mobile App

Abstract

Study Design: Cohort study. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of the AO Surgery Reference mobile app in the diagnosis of thoracolumbar fractures of the spine according to the AO TL classification, and to discuss the usefulness of this app in the teaching and training of the resident physicians in orthopedics and traumatology area. Methods: The 24 residents of Orthopedic and Traumatology program assessed 20 cases of thoracolumbar fractures selected from the hospital database on 2 different occasions, with a 30-day interval, and they classified these cases with and without using the AO Surgery Reference app. A group of spine experts previously established the gold standard and the answers were statistically compared, with the inter- and intraobserver reliability evaluated by the kappa index. Results: The use of the AO Surgery Reference app increased the classification success rate of the fracture morphology (from 53.4% to 72.5%), of the comorbidity modifier (from 61.4% to 77.9%) and of the neurological status modifier (from 55.1% to 72.9%). In addition, the mobile app raised the classification agreement and accuracy. The kappa index increased from 0.30 to 0.53 regarding the morphological classification of fractures. Conclusions: The residents improved their ability to recognize and classify thoracolumbar spine fractures, which reinforces the importance of this tool in medical education and clinical practice.

APP-guided assessment of acetabular defects in hip revision arthroplasty: a structured approach to a complex situation

“…They succeeded in showing that residents improved their ability to recognize and classify thoracolumbar spine fractures through app-usage. Therefore, they concluded that their findings reinforce the importance of mobile applications in medical education and clinical practice [ 26 ]. The results of both publications support our findings.…”

A Comparative Biomechanical Analysis of the Impact of Different Configurations of Pedicle-Screw-Based Fixation in Thoracolumbar Compression Fracture

“…Next, a compression fracture of the Th12 vertebra (CF) was performed. Thoracolumbar Spine Injury Classification System (AO classification) is divided into 3 injury subgroups: A (compression injuries), B (tension band injuries) and C (translational injuries in any axis) which are successively divided into subtypes [ 15 ]. Moreover, literature data show that approximately 50% of all fractures are compression fractures of the Th12 vertebra [ 1 – 3 ], where only the vertebral body is damaged without damage to the posterior column.…”