Spinal canal restoration by posterior distraction or anterior decompression in thoracolumbar spinal fractures and its influence on neurological outcome

Summary Thirty consecutive patients who had suffered unstable fractures and dislocations of the thoracolumbar spine mostly associated with neurologic impairment and bony encroachment on the spinal canal were treated either with Harrington distraction rods combined with sublaminar wires or with the Zielke-VDS device. These patients were subsequently assessed for neurologic outcome, spinal canal clearance, sagittal and coronal spinal deformity correction preoperatively and postoperatively with a minimum follow-up of 26 months. In the follow-up evaluation, the patients who underwent surgery with Harrington rods showed an overall improvement of their neurologic function of 90.9%, whereas all patients who underwent the Zielke operation improved. Preoperatively, positive correlations were found between the level of injury and Frankel grades; the cord lesion tended to demonstrate more severe neurologic deficit when compared with cauda equina ones (P < 0.001). Furthermore, dislocation accompanying the injury resulted in a more severe neurological deficit (P < 0.05). Harrington rods and Zielke device offer sufficient initial correction of the frontal spinal deformity but did not significantly either restore or maintain sagittal plane alignment. The Harrington series showed an overallimprovement of the segmental kyphosis of 26% (NS), with a subsequent loss of correction of 7.38% (NS) on the follow-up observation. The Zielke device produced an immediate, much better correction of the segmental posttraumatic kyphosis of 45% (NS), but a loss of correction of 22.9% (NS) was measured in the follow-up evaluation. Correction of the anterior and posterior vertebral height was shown to be better for the Zielke patient group. The coronal deformity was completely corrected equally well by the Harrington and Zielke devices. There was no statistically significant correlation between the degree of bony encroachment of the spinal canal and the initial Frankel grade. Additionally, no statistically significant correlation was found between correction of the sagittal deformity, restoration of anterior and posterior vertebral height, coronal deformity correction, and clearance of the vertebral canal. Concerning neurological status, no patient in either group was worse in the follow-up evaluation. A significant correlation was found between the age of the patient and the neurological improvement favoring young patients (P < 0.001).     

Correlation of spinal canal post-traumatic encroachment and neurological deficit in burst fractures of the lower cervical spine (C3–7)

Summary Burst fractures of the lower cervical spine (C3–7) are often associated with severe neurological injury. During the last 5 years (1987–1992) we operated on 11 patients who had sustained burst fractures together with neurological deficit. The operations were performed through an anterior approach. The burst vertebra was excised, and the defect was filled with bone graft. Implants (plates and screws) were used in 10 cases. The preoperative examination was conducted by computed tomography and revealed that in 4 patients with complete tetraplegia (Frankel grade A) there was more than 50% spinal canal narrowing, whilst in the remaining 7 patients, with various levels of incomplete tetraplegia, there was less than 50% spinal canal narrowing, resulting in considerable improvement. The above results support the hypothesis that a correlation exists between the magnitude of the spinal canal encroachment, the initial neurological deficit and the final outcome.     

Comparison of two Types of Surgery for Thoraco-Lumbar Burst Fractures: Combined Anterior and Posterior Stabilisation vs. Posterior Instrumentation Only

Summary  This retrospective study compares clinical outcome following two different types of surgery for thoracolumbar burst fractures. Forty-six patients with thoracolumbar burst fractures causing encroachment of the spinal canal greater than 50% were operated on within 30 days performing either: combined anterior decompression and stabilisation and posterior stabilisation (Group 1) or posterior distraction and stabilisation using pedicle instrumentation (AO internal fixator) (Group 2). We evaluated: neurological status (Frankel Grade), spinal deformities, residual pain, and complications. The average follow-up was 6 years. There were no significant differences between the patients in both groups concerning age, sex, cause of injury and the presence of other severe injuries. Neurological dysfunction was present in 39% of all cases. Bony union occurred in all patients. Loss of reduction greater than 5 degrees and instrumentation failure occurred significantly more often in Group 2 compared to Group 1, but the kyphosis angle at late follow-up did not differ between groups, due to some degree of overcorrection initially after surgery in Group 2. The clinical outcome was similar in both groups, and all but one patient with neurological deficits improved by at least one Frankel grade.  Indirect decompression of the spinal canal by posterior distraction and short-segment stabilisation with AO internal fixator is considered appropriate treatment for the majority of unstable thoracolumbar burst fractures. This is a less extensive surgical procedure than a combined anterior and posterior approach.     

Scoliosis Research Society. Multicenter spine fracture study.

This study consisted of 1,019 spinal fracture patients followed prospectively for 2 years. Sixty-four physicians from 12 countries participated. The purpose of the study was to determine: 1) the relationship between neurologic deficit and fracture type, level, and spinal canal compromise; 2) the neurologic outcome comparing surgical versus nonsurgical treatment and anterior versus posterior surgery; and 3) the relationship of pain to both kyphotic deformity and to surgical and nonsurgical treatment. The main findings of this study are as follows: 1) seat belts reduced the incidence of severe neurologic injury; 2) there was a higher incidence of neurologic deficit with fracture-dislocations and a higher incidence of neurologically intact patients with compression and flexion-distraction injuries; 3) there was a greater incidence of complete neurologic deficits caused by fractures at the spinal cord level, and a diminished incidence at the cauda equina level; 4) for burst fractures there was a weakly positive relationship between canal compromise and neurologic deficit, including bladder function; 5) surgical intervention led to a greater percentage of improved neurologic function than nonoperative treatment, but the rate of improvement was not statistically different; 6) anterior surgery was not more effective than posterior surgery in improving the neurologic function when function was assessed using the Frankel or Motor Index scales, but it was statistically significant when compared to the Manabe scale; 7) in patients who deteriorated before surgery and underwent surgery, there was a greater improvement neurologically, particularly for anterior surgery, compared to those patients treated nonoperatively or to the overall surgically treated group; 8) There was a statistically significant relationship between bladder function and fracture type, with an increased incidence of absent function seen with fracture-dislocations, of impaired function with burst fractures, and of intact bladder function with compression and flexion-distraction injuries; 9) anterior surgery was more beneficial in improving complete bladder impairment to partial impairment compared to posterior surgery; 10) a kyphotic deformity of greater than 30 degrees at 2-year follow-up was associated with an increased incidence of significant back pain; 11) patients who had surgery complained less of severe pain than those who were treated without surgery.     

Decompression and circumferential stabilization of unstable spinal fractures

A technique of anterior decompression of the spinal canal with anterior strut grafts, followed by posterior instrumentation and local fusion, is described in a group of 18 patients with unstable thoracolumbar fractures. All patients were found to have greater than 50% encroachment of the spinal canal and a preoperative kyphosis of 21.8 degrees. At follow-up 81% of patients with incomplete neurological lesions improved at least one Frankel Grade. Residual encroachment on the spinal canal was 4.6% and at follow-up the kyphotic angle was 17.1 degrees. Complications included one anterior graft loosening (not requiring revision), three loosened rods, only one of which required revision, and one fractured Harrington rod which did not require revision. The authors conclude that this technique is an effective and safe method for treating unstable thoracolumbar injuries and is recommended if anterior instrumentation is unavailable.     

Clinical results of posterior stabilization without decompression for thoracolumbar burst fractures: is decompression necessary?

The purpose of this study is to investigate the clinical outcome of posterior stabilization without decompression for thoracolumbar burst fractures. Thirty-one consecutive cases of thoracolumbar fractures involving T11-L2 stabilized by a pedicle screw system were reviewed. Neither reduction of the height of a fractured body nor any decompression procedure was added during surgery. Twenty-two patients had incomplete paraplegia; one patient had complete paraplegia. Neurological recovery and remodeling of the spinal canal were evaluated. Neurological status was evaluated at the time of injury, just before and after surgery, and at final follow-up. The degree of spinal canal compromise was assessed using axial CT scan images. The duration of follow-up averaged 39.6?months. The mean spinal canal compromise at the time of injury was 41.6%, and no significant correlation was observed between the degree of canal compromise and the severity of the neurological deficit. Within 2-3?weeks, spinal canal remodeling had started in all patients whose spinal canal compromise was more than 30%, and canal compromise had decreased significantly 3-4?weeks after injury. Seventeen of 22 patients with incomplete paraplegia had already shown partial neurological recovery even before surgery. At the final follow-up, all patients with incomplete paraplegia had improved by at least one modified Frankel grade. This study suggests that the effect of decompressing thoracolumbar fractures with neurological deficits remains unclear and questions the need to operate simply to remove retropulsed bone fragments. Posterior stabilization without decompression should constitute appropriate surgical treatment for these fractures.     

胸腰椎爆裂骨折损伤部位和椎管内占位程度与神经损伤的关系

目的探讨胸腰椎爆裂骨折骨折部位及椎管内骨块占位程度与神经损伤的关系。方法对213例胸腰椎爆裂骨折根据骨折部位及CT测出的椎管内骨折骨块占位程度与神经损伤进行分析评定。结果神经损伤组椎管骨折骨块占位程度明显高于无神经损伤组;在有神经损伤情况下,骨折部位椎管内骨块占位程度腰段大于胸腰段;神经损伤程度与椎管内骨块占位程度无显著相关。结论胸腰椎爆裂骨折椎管内骨块占位压迫是神经损伤的重要因素;神经损伤与骨折部位和椎管内骨块占位程度联合相关。     

Spinal trauma with a complete anterior vertebral body dislocation: a report of three cases

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review of three cases.Objectives:Severe trauma can be responsible for a complete spinal anterior dislocation with a 100% anterior slip of the vertebral body. Three cases of this uncommon lesion are reported. SETTING: France. METHODS: The data of three cases of complete spinal anterior dislocation with a 100% anterior slip of the vertebral body were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: In all the cases, the vertebral dislocation was responsible for a severe neurological deficit and all patients had severe associated lesions. The diagnosis was made on plain radiographs. In one case of a multilevel injury, an extensive instrumented spinal fusion was necessary. In spite of the severe injury, two neurological deficits improved thanks to pedicular fractures, which widen the canal. CONCLUSION: The therapeutic goal is to achieve emergent vertebral alignment, neurological decompression and solid spinal fusion. A posterior facilitates this. Reduction of vertebral dislocation can be difficult to achieve and it is therefore mandatory to perform complete arthrectomy of the injured levels before reduction. Especially in young patients, severe disc lesions secondary to the wide vertebral displacement make it necessary to perform circumferential fusion.     

中上胸椎骨折脱位的临床特点及手术治疗

目的探讨中上胸椎骨折脱位的临床特点及后路手术治疗。方法中上胸椎骨折脱位15例(骨折累及前方椎体共28个),均伴有不同程度脱位。AO分型:B型10例,C型5例。完全性瘫痪7例,不完全性瘫痪8例。手术均采用后路复位植骨内固定,固定节段为5~10节,根据脊髓受压情况进行后路椎管内减压。结果经X线复查,有1例复位欠佳,经6~24个月的随访,内固定无松动断裂,后路植骨已融合。FrankelA级7例中有2例恢复至B级,1例恢复至C级,FrankelB~D级8例中都有1~2级的恢复。结论中上胸椎骨折脱位的临床特点骨折累及节段多,脱位发生率高,脊髓损伤严重。对于此类患者后路减压、复位、植骨内固定术可以取得较好的效果。     

下腰椎爆裂性骨折的损伤特点和手术治疗选择

目的：探讨自行设计的下腰椎爆裂性骨折的评分系统用于指导手术方式选择的可行性。方法：回顾性分析2006年1月至2011年12月采用手术治疗,且资料完整的56例下腰椎单椎体爆裂性骨折病例,男42例,女14例;年龄19～65岁,平均43．1岁。高处坠落伤40例,交通伤12例,重物砸伤4例。损伤部位：L337例,L4 16例,L53例。按AO分型：A3．1型17例,A3．2型14例,A3.3型25例。脊髓神经功能按Frankel分级：B级2例,C级5例,D级9例,E级40例。按A0分型、后柱是否损伤及椎管占位程度进行综合评分,根据评分,分别选择跨伤椎固定、经伤椎置钉固定、联合后前入路和Ⅰ期后入路手术方式。对比术前、术后即刻和末次随访时Cobb角、伤椎前缘高度恢复及椎管占位情况的变化,观察植骨融合情况以及内固定是否存在弯曲、松动或断裂现象。采用Frankel分级标准评定脊髓神经恢复情况,末次随访时对患者的局部疼痛和工作状态进行评定。结果：56例切口无感染,未出现脊髓神经症状加重现象。均获得随访,随访时间12-60个月,平均28．5个月,随访期间未出现内固定松动或断裂现象。在Cobb角、椎体前缘高度及椎管占位恢复方面,术后即刻与术前相比,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）,术后即刻与末次随访时相比,差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。植骨融合情况：跨伤椎固定方式融合13例,经伤椎固定方式融合20例,联合后前入路和Ⅰ期后入路方式20例均获得植骨融合。脊髓神经功能有1-2级的恢复,C级1例,D级3例,E级52例。患者局部疼痛评定：Pl52例,P23例,P31例。工作状态分级：W112例,W239例,W35例。结论：由于下腰椎与胸腰段在解剖、生物力学方面的差异,其具有完全不同的损伤特点。而根据AO分型、后柱是否损伤及椎管占位程度进行的综合评分,是指导下腰椎爆裂性骨折手术治疗选择的较好方法,下腰椎爆裂性骨折应根据损伤程度而采用不同的手术方法。     

First aid and treatment for cervical spinal cord injury with fracture and dislocation

Background:

Traumatic cervical spinal cord injury with subaxial fracture and dislocation not only indicates a highly unstable spine but can also induce life-threatening complications. This makes first aid critically important before any definitive operative procedure is undertaken. The present study analyzes the various first aid measures and operative procedures for such injury.

Materials and Methods:

Two hundred and ninety-five patients suffered from cervical spinal cord injury with fracture and dislocation. The average period between injury and admission was 4.5 days (range 5 h-12 weeks). The injury includes burst fractures (n = 90), compression fractures with herniated discs (n = 50), fractures and dislocation (n = 88) and pure dislocation (n = 36). Other injuries including developmental spinal canal stenosis and/or multi-segment spinal cord compression associated with trauma (n = 12), lamina fractures compressing the spinal cord (n = 6), ligament injuries (n = 7) and hematoma (n = 6) were observed in the present study. The injury level was C4 (n = 17), C5 (n = 29), C6 (n = 39), C7 (n = 35), C4-5 (n = 38), C5-6 (n = 58), C6-7 (n = 49), C4-6 (n = 16) and C5-7 (n = 14). According to the Frankel grading system, grade A was observed in 20 cases, grade B in 91, grade C in 124 and grade D in 60. One hundred and eighteen (40%) patients had a high fever and difficulty in breathing on presentation. First aid measures included early reduction and immobilization of the injured cervical spine, controlling the temperature, breathing support, and administration of high-dose methylprednisolone within eight hours of the injury (n = 12) and administration of dehydration and neurotrophy medicine. Oxygen support was given and tracheotomy was performed for patients with serious difficulty in breathing. Measures were taken to prevent bedsores and infections of the respiratory and urological systems. Two hundred and thirty six patients were treated with anterior decompression, 31 patients were treated by posterior approach surgery and combined anterior and posterior approach surgery was performed in a single sitting on 28 patients.

Results:

All patients were followed for 0.5-18 years (mean 11.8 years). At least one Frankel grade improvement was observed in 178 (60.3%) patients. In the anterior surgery group, the best results were observed in the cases with slight compressive fracture with disc herniation (44/50 patients, 88.0%). In the posterior surgery group, one Frankel grade improvement was observed in the cases with developmental spinal canal stenosis with trauma, lamina fractures, ligament injuries and hematoma (27/31, 87.1%). Most of the patients in the Frankel D group recovered normal neurological function after surgery. The majority of the patients with Frankel C neurological deficit (102/124) had the ability to walk postoperatively, while most of the seriously injured patients (Frankel A and B) had no improvement in their neurological function. Radiolographic fusion of the operated segments occurred in most patients within three months. Loss of intervertebral height and cervical physiological curvature was observed to varying degrees in 30.1% (71/236) of the cases in the anterior surgery group.

Conclusion:

First aid measures of early closed reduction or realignment and immobilization of the cervical spine, breathing support and high-dose methylprednisolone were most important in the treatment for traumatic spinal cord injury. Surgery should be performed as soon as the indications of spinal injury appear. The choice of the approach—anterior, posterior or both, should be based on the type of the injury and the surgeon''s experience. Any complications should be actively prevented and treated.     

经皮椎体成形术与开放性手术治疗脊柱转移瘤

【摘要】 目的：探讨经皮椎体成形术（PVP）与开放手术治疗脊柱转移瘤的手术适应证、临床疗效、并发症及外科治疗方式的选择。方法：2004年4月～2011年4月行手术治疗并获得随访的脊柱转移瘤患者共177例,根据手术方法不同分为两组,对原发瘤切除后的孤立转移者,或肿瘤进入椎管压迫脊髓、神经根者,以及脊柱严重不稳者行开放性手术治疗,共87例;对无明显脊髓或神经根受压者,不适宜开放手术者行经皮椎体成形术治疗,共90例。采用VAS评分、ECOG评分、Frankel分级对两组患者的疼痛、功能状况和脊髓功能进行评价;使用Kaplan-Meier法评估两组患者生存率。结果：PVP组共治疗242个椎体,基本无出血,中位手术时间70min;术后2d时VAS评分即有显著降低,并持续至术后1、3、6个月;ECOG评分在术后1周和3个月时均有显著降低;除了无症状的骨水泥渗漏（91/242）外,未发生神经损伤或肺栓塞等严重并发症;中位生存时间为16个月。开放手术组中位手术时间240min,中位出血量1600ml;术后1个月时VAS评分显著降低,并持续至术后3、6个月;ECOG评分在术后1个月和3个月均有显著降低;术前47例有脊髓功能障碍患者中有39例术后Frankel分级得到提高（83%）;29%运动功能完全丧失患者（4/14）和60%运动功能不完全丧失患者（20/33）的神经功能完全恢复;术后17例出现并发症（19.5%）,并发症发生率高,围手术期死亡3例（3.4%）;中位生存时间为11个月。结论：经皮椎体成形术对于椎体转移瘤所导致的疼痛和轻中度不稳定是一种安全有效的微创治疗,应作为一线的姑息治疗方法;开放手术应限于原发瘤切除后的孤立转移有硬膜压迫或严重脊柱不稳定的患者。     

经后路脊柱前中柱次全切三柱重建治疗严重胸腰椎爆裂骨折

目的 探讨后路脊柱前中柱次全切三柱重建术治疗严重胸腰椎爆裂骨折的临床价值.方法 对36例严重胸腰椎爆裂骨折行此手术.采用ASIA分级对神经功能评估.比较术前、术后及末次随访时伤椎前缘压缩率、脊柱局部Cobb角、椎管矢状径侵占率,评估复位、减压及融合情况.结果 术后血气胸、脑脊液漏各1例,均治愈.平均随访17.8个月,无其他并发症.神经功能除A级外均有1～2级的恢复.伤椎前缘压缩率、脊柱局部Cobb角、椎管矢状径侵占率术后及末次随访时较术前有统计学差异(P＜0.05),末次随访时较术后无明显变化(P＞0.05).结论 该手术创伤小、并发症少、减压彻底,能有效重建脊柱三柱结构,防止复位丢失及内固定失败,是治疗严重胸腰椎爆裂骨折的理想手术方式.     

后路经侧前方椎管减压结合伤椎置钉短节段固定治疗严重胸腰椎爆裂骨折合并脊髓损伤

目的：探讨后路经侧前方椎管减压结合伤椎置钉短节段固定治疗严重胸腰椎爆裂骨折并脊髓损伤的临床疗效。方法：回顾性分析2016年1月至2018年6月收治的16例严重胸腰椎爆裂骨折（椎管侵占率>50%、椎体后缘存在翻转骨块）合并脊髓损伤的患者,其中男10例,女6例;年龄19~57岁。高处坠落伤8例,车祸伤6例,其他伤2例。骨折部位：T₁₁ 4例,T₁₂ 5例,L₁ 5例,L₂ 2例。所有患者采用后路经侧前方椎管减压结合伤椎置钉短节段固定的手术方式,通过测量伤椎前缘丢失高度、伤椎邻近节段Cobb角、椎管侵占率评价影像学效果,并通过Frankel脊髓损伤评级和视觉模拟评分（visual analogue scale,VAS）评价临床疗效。结果：16例均获得完整随访,随访时间11~28（15.9±5.4）个月。手术时间（234±41）min,术中出血量（431±93）ml。伤椎前缘高度丢失术前（52.25±10.10）%,术后3 d（8.93±3.61）%,末次随访（9.25±2.88）%;术后3 d、末次随访时较术前恢复（P<0.01）,末次随访时较术后3 d无明显变化（P>0.05）。伤椎邻近节段Cobb角术前（28.19±10.89）°,术后3 d（5.31±5.14）°,末次随访（6.81±4.59）°;椎管侵占率术前（67.68±12.45）%,术后3 d（7.69±4.46）%,末次随访（4.75±1.63）%,术后3 d、末次随访时较术前恢复（P<0.01）,末次随访时较术后3 d也有一定程度恢复（P<0.05）。末次随访时12例脊髓神经功能获得改善,4例未获得改善,未出现神经功能恶化者;VSA评分由术前的（7.8±0.9）分改善至末次随访的（1.8±0.7）分。结论：对于椎管侵占率> 50%、椎体后缘存在翻转骨块的严重胸腰椎爆裂骨折合并脊髓损伤时,后路经侧前方椎管减压结合伤椎置钉短节段固定具有复位精确、减压彻底、固定牢固等特点。     

胸腰椎爆裂骨折并重度脊髓损伤应用损伤控制技术治疗的早期疗效分析

目的研究在治疗胸腰椎爆裂骨折并重度脊髓损伤的手术中应用损伤控制技术的早期临床疗效。方法回顾性分析自2007-06--2013—06诊治的胸腰椎爆裂骨折并重度脊髓损伤38例,所有患者Frankel脊髓损伤分级均为A级。A组22例术中未采用损伤控制技术,B组16例术中采用损伤控制技术。结果在术后2周及6个月,2组神经功能恢复差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。而2组的伤椎前缘高度平均矫正和Cobb角平均矫正指标差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论损伤控制技术有利于控制脊髓损伤的程度．不加重脊髓继发性损伤．最大限度恢复神终功能．术后疗糟满意．     

胸腰段骨折脱位并截瘫手术内固定疗效比较(附193例报告)

本文对1984～1997年242例急性胸腰段骨折脱位伴截瘫所施行的后路Harrington棒,Luque棒和前路Armtstrong钢板、Kaneta装置的病人进行了回顾分析,旨在对各种手术方法及内固定的利弊与疗效进行比较。结果表明:前、后路手术神经功能的恢复率分别为87％和74％(P<0.05),前路手术在解除椎管压迫和神经功能的恢复上明显优于后路手术。除手术耗时及输血量前路手术多于后路手术(P<0.01)外,椎体压缩的恢复,后凸角的矫正和手术并发症及住院日期方而各术式无明显的差异(P>0.05)。认为胸腰段骨折手术途径及固定方法宜根据脊柱生物力学的破坏程度、脊髓受压的部位进行选择,手术时机最好在伤后3～7d。     

中上胸椎骨折脱位的临床特点及手术治疗

目的 总结分析中上胸椎骨折脱位的临床特点及手术治疗的效果。方法 对28例中上胸椎骨折脱位患者的临床资料进行了回顾性分析研究。陈旧骨折12例，新鲜骨折16例。21例合并多发创伤或多发骨折，24例为多节段骨折。根据A0骨折分类：B型12例，C型16例。手术治疗包括后路减压植骨融合加椎弓根内固定13例(新鲜)，前路减压植骨融合加内固定12例(陈旧10例，新鲜2例)，前后联合入路3例(陈旧2例，新鲜1例)。结果 20例获得随访，时间12～48个月，平均32．5个月。其中12例术前Frankel A级者无1例改善，非A级者4例有一级改善，4例无变化，无内固定失败。结论中上胸椎骨折脱位的临床特点为损伤外力强大，脊柱、脊髓损伤严重，多发伤合并率高。对不稳定骨折即使是合并完全性脊髓损伤者，应尽量考虑早期手术减压并稳定脊柱，以利患者的早期康复治疗。     

一期前后联合入路治疗胸腰段脊柱结核

目的回顾性分析一期后路椎弓根螺钉内固定和前路病灶清除植骨融合术治疗胸腰椎脊柱结核的临床疗效。方法 2004年12月～2010年8月,采用一期后路椎弓根螺钉系统内固定和前路病灶清除、神经减压、自体骨椎间植骨治疗胸腰段脊柱结核患者27例,2个椎体16例,3个椎体8例,4个椎体2例,5个椎体1例。分析术前与术后脊髓神经功能Frankel分级情况以及脊柱融合情况。结果所有患者术后随访9个月～3年,平均16.5个月。脊柱后凸畸形由术前平均46.3°改善到术后平均14.3°(P<0.05)。术后所有病例神经功能均获得改善。结论经后路椎弓根螺钉内固定和前路病灶清除植骨融合术治疗脊柱结核能彻底清除结核病灶,矫正脊柱后凸畸形,促进脊髓及神经功能恢复。     

Anterolateral decompression for neural involvement in thoracolumbar fractures. A review of 78 cases

Of a total of 905 patients with fracture or fracture-dislocation of the thoracolumbar spine admitted from 1969 to 1982, a neurological deficit was present in 334 (37%). All unstable injuries were initially treated by reduction and posterior fusion. In 79 of these patients, an anterolateral decompression was undertaken later because of persistent neurological deficit and radiographic demonstration of encroachment on the spinal canal. One patient died of pulmonary embolism; 78 were reviewed after a mean period of four years. Of these 78 patients 18 made a complete neurological recovery while 53 appeared to have benefited from the procedure; 25 remained unchanged. The best results were obtained in burst fractures at thoracolumbar and lumbar levels when a solitary detached fragment of a vertebral body had been displaced into the spinal canal. These results indicate that anterolateral decompression of the spinal canal should be considered, after careful evaluation, for certain injuries of the spine in which there is severe neural involvement.     

Treatment of acute thoracolumbar burst fractures with kyphoplasty and short pedicle screw fixation: Transpedicular intracorporeal grafting with calcium phosphate: A prospective study

Background:

In the surgical treatment of thoracolumbar fractures, the major problem after posterior correction and transpedicular instrumentation is failure to support the anterior spinal column, leading to loss of correction and instrumentation failure with associated complaints. We conducted this prospective study to evaluate the outcome of the treatment of acute thoracolumbar burst fractures by transpedicular balloon kyphoplasty, grafting with calcium phosphate cement and short pedicle screw fixation plus fusion.

Materials and Methods:

Twenty-three consecutive patients of thoracolumbar (T₉ to L₄) burst fracture with or without neurologic deficit with an average age of 43 years, were included in this prospective study. Twenty-one from the 23 patients had single burst fracture while the remaining two patients had a burst fracture and additionally an adjacent A1-type fracture. On admission six (26%) out of 23 patients had neurological deficit (five incomplete, one complete). Bilateral transpedicular balloon kyphoplasty with liquid calcium phosphate to reduce segmental kyphosis and restore vertebral body height and short (three vertebrae) pedicle screw instrumentation with posterolateral fusion was performed. Gardner kyphosis angle, anterior and posterior vertebral body height ratio and spinal canal encroachment were calculated pre- to postoperatively.

Results:

All 23 patients were operated within two days after admission and were followed for at least 12 months after index surgery. Operating time and blood loss averaged 45 min and 60 cc respectively. The five patients with incomplete neurological lesions improved by at least one ASIA grade, while no neurological deterioration was observed in any case. The VAS and SF-36 (Role physical and Bodily pain domains) were significantly improved postoperatively. Overall sagittal alignment was improved from an average preoperative 16° to one degree kyphosis at final followup observation. The anterior vertebral body height ratio improved from 0.6 preoperatively to 0.9 (P<0.001) postoperatively, while posterior vertebral body height improved from 0.95 to 1 (P<0.01). Spinal canal encroachment was reduced from an average 32% preoperatively to 20% postoperatively. Cement leakage was observed in four cases (three anterior to vertebral body and one into the disc without sequalae). In the last CT evaluation, there was a continuity between calcium phosphate and cancellous vertebral body bone. Posterolateral radiological fusion was achieved within six months after index operation. There was no instrumentation failure or measurable loss of sagittal curve and vertebral height correction in any group of patients.

Conclusions:

Balloon kyphoplasty with calcium phosphate cement secured with posterior short fixation in the thoracolumbar spine provided excellent immediate reduction of posttraumatic segmental kyphosis and significant spinal canal clearance and restored vertebral body height in the fracture level.