Short-segment pedicle instrumentation of thoracolumbar burst fractures: does transpedicular intracorporeal grafting prevent early failure?

STUDY DESIGN: A prospective, randomized study comparing two treatment methods for thoracolumbar burst fractures: short-segment instrumentation with transpedicular grafting and the same procedure without transpedicular grafting. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of transpedicular grafting in preventing failure of short-segment fixation for the treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Short-segment pedicle instrumentation for thoracolumbar burst fractures is known to fail early because of the absence of anterior support. Additional transpedicular grafting has been offered as an alternative to prevent this failure. However, there is controversy about the results of transpedicular grafting. METHODS: Twenty patients with thoracolumbar burst fractures were included in the study. The inclusion criterion was the presence of fractures through the T11-L3 vertebrae without neurologic compromise. The patients were randomized by a simple method into two groups. Group 1 patients were treated using short-segment instrumentation with transpedicular grafting (TPG) (n = 10), and Group 2 patients were treated by short-segment fixation alone (NTPG) (n = 10). Clinical (Likert's questionnaire) and radiologic (sagittal index, percentage of anterior body height compression, and local kyphosis) outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: The two groups were similar in age, follow-up period, and severity of the deformity and fracture. The postoperative and follow-up sagittal index, percentage of anterior body height compression, and average correction loss in local kyphosis in both groups were not significantly different. The failure rate, defined as an increase of 10 degrees or more in local kyphosis and/or screw breakage, was also not significantly different (TPG = 50%, NTPG = 40%, P = 0.99). CONCLUSIONS: Short-segment transpedicular instrumentation of thoracolumbar burst fractures is associated with a high rate of failure that cannot be decreased by additional transpedicular intracorporeal grafting.     

USS复位内固定结合经椎弓根植骨治疗胸腰椎爆裂性骨折

目的探讨采用通用脊柱系统(USS)复位内固定结合经椎弓根植骨治疗胸腰椎爆裂性骨折的临床疗效。方法采用通用脊柱系统(USS)复位内固定结合经椎弓根植骨治疗胸腰椎爆裂性骨折27例,术后及随访期间摄X线片,测定椎体成角、上下终板成角、椎体前缘高度与正常高度的比值,了解术后骨折复位情况以及随访期间内固定有无失败和复位丢失情况。结果通过手术复位,椎体成角、上下终板成角、椎体前缘高度与正常高度的比值均明显改善,术后随访测量以上结果与术后相比无明显变化,无一例发生内固定失败。结论采用USS复位内固定结合经椎弓根植骨治疗胸腰椎爆裂性骨折可有效地防止内固定失败以及脊柱骨折复位丢失和后凸畸形,是治疗胸腰椎爆裂性骨折较理想的方法。     

后路短节段椎弓根内固定治疗无神经损伤胸腰段爆裂骨折

目的　探讨后路短节段椎弓根内固定、经椎弓根椎体内植骨对无神经损伤胸腰段爆裂骨折的治疗效果。方法　对 2 2例无神经损伤的胸腰段爆裂骨折 ,采用短节段椎弓根内固定器复位固定、经椎弓根椎体内植骨 ,术前、后摄X线片、CT扫描。结果　术后伤椎高度明显恢复 ,后凸显著矫正 (P <0 0 5 ) ;术后 1年 ,后凸矫正度数大量丢失 (P <0 0 5 )。结论　后路短节段椎弓根内固定是治疗无神经损伤胸腰段爆裂骨折的一种理想方法 ,经椎弓根椎体内植骨不能阻止后凸矫正度数的丢失。     

经椎弓根植骨治疗老年人胸腰椎爆裂性骨折

目的　探讨经椎弓根植骨结合短节段内固定对防止老年人胸腰椎爆裂性骨折后期后凸畸形及腰背部疼痛的意义。方法　采用经椎弓根植骨结合短节段内固定治疗老年胸腰椎爆裂性骨折 1 6例 ,术后及随访期间摄X线片测定椎体成角、上下终板成角、椎体前缘高度与正常高度的比值 ,了解患者后期腰背部疼痛情况 ,了解有无内固定失败等并发症。结果　通过经椎弓根植骨结合短节段内固定治疗 ,椎体成角、上下终板成角、椎体前缘高度与正常高度的比值均明显改善 ,术后随访测量以上结果与术后相比无明显变化。随访期间 3例有轻度腰背部疼痛 ,其余无腰背部疼痛。无一例发生内固定折断、拔出、松动等并发症。结论　采用经椎弓根植骨结合短节段内固定治疗老年胸腰椎爆裂性骨折可有效地防止后期出现后凸畸形及腰背部疼痛 ,是治疗老年胸腰椎爆裂性骨折较理想的方法之一     

经后路椎弓根内固定椎体成形治疗胸腰椎爆裂性骨折

椎体成形术治疗胸腰椎爆裂性骨折预防术后形成“空心椎”、蛋壳椎引起的椎体塌陷、后凸畸形以及顽固性腰背痛和继发性神经损伤。方法收治T11～L4胸腰椎暴裂性骨折患者15例，年龄24～78岁。短节段椎弓根复位固定复位后经伤椎通过椎弓根灌注HA／PMMA骨水泥4～8ml。随访9～14月，均没有发生脊髓损伤加重。术前有不完全损伤的13例，术后Frankel分级神经功能恢复1级或以上12例。伤椎前缘术前平均高度16．1cm，术后随访27．3cm。伤椎椎管内矢状径术前平均7．1mm．随访矢状径18．1mm。矢状位恢复佳,矢状面指数(SI)，术前20度，术后5度。后路椎弓根内固定伤椎椎体内灌注生物活性骨水泥，即刻恢复伤椎强度和刚度，减少了后路内固定的应力，防止后凸畸形，减少并发症。     

经椎弓根植骨预防骨折后椎体塌陷的疗效观察

目的探讨经椎弓根椎体内植骨治疗胸腰椎骨折的疗效。方法采用植骨器械经椎弓根椎体内植骨,结合椎管减压、短节段椎弓根螺钉固定治疗胸腰椎骨折52例并获得2年以上随访。测量伤椎椎体中央高度值,比较植骨后椎体高度的恢复程度,观察植骨融合情况。采用配对t检验进行统计学分析。结果52例患者术后随访27～62个月,平均36个月。CT显示椎体内植骨融合良好,伤椎椎体中央高度值与正常值比较,差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。6例（12％）出现伤椎椎体塌陷,其中3例后凸成角,内固定失败,再次手术治疗。结论椎管减压及内固定同时经伤椎椎弓根进行椎体内植骨可恢复伤椎椎体高度,重建前、中柱的稳定性可预防术后远期椎体塌陷的发生。     

中位置钉治疗胸腰椎骨折临床病例分析

目的探讨中位置钉（经伤椎椎弓根置钉短节段内固定）治疗胸腰段椎体骨折的临床疗效。方法收治26例胸腰椎骨折中位置钉及跨过伤椎的短节段椎弓根螺钉内固定治疗,26例平均分两组,分别行中位置钉即经伤椎置钉短节段内固定及跨过伤椎的短节段椎弓根螺钉内固定。结果经过术后3~24个月的随访,平均12.8个月,中位置钉组病例患者骨折均达到临床骨性愈合,术前对比术后1周伤椎椎体前缘高度的比值和Cobb角较术前有明显改善（P〈0.05）,术后6个月和24个月对与后1周比较均无显著性差异（P〉0.05）。结论中位置钉治疗胸腰椎骨折能够很好地对伤椎进行复位,在纠正后凸畸形的同时,也避免了术后椎体高度丢失、内固定器械松动及断裂等并发症。     

经伤椎植骨并椎弓根钉内固定术治疗胸腰椎骨折

目的：探讨经骨折椎椎弓根椎体内植骨并椎弓根钉内固定术治疗胸腰椎骨折的临床疗效。方法2008年1月～2012年12月收集105例胸腰椎骨折患者,均采用经骨折椎椎弓根椎体内植骨加椎弓根钉内固定术治疗。术前、术后测量椎体前缘压缩率、椎管狭窄率、椎体Cobb角及并发症情况。结果105例患者随访12～36个月,平均19个月。术前、术后及末次随访时伤椎前缘压缩率分别为（36．0±12．1）％、（3．8±2．4）％、（3．8±3．0）％;椎管狭窄率分别为（35．6±9．0）％、（10．9±3．7）％、（10．7±3．4）％;Cobb角分别为33．6°±8．7°、3．1°±2．0°、3．2°±2．5°;术后及末次随访时各观察指标均较术前改善,差异有统计学意义（P＜0．05）。无内固定失败并发症。结论经骨折椎椎弓根椎体内植骨加椎弓根钉内固定手术,对骨折椎椎体复位效果好,减少内固定失败并发症。     

Bilateral transpedicular decompression and Harrington rod stabilization in the management of severe thoracolumbar burst fractures.

Fifty-eight patients with severe thoracolumbar burst fractures were treated with bilateral transpedicular decompression, Harrington rod instrumentation, and spine fusion. Spinal realignment and stabilization was achieved by contoured dual Harrington distraction rods supplemented by segmental sublaminal wiring. Posterior element fractures were noted in 25 patients, 9 of whom had associated dural tears. Computed tomography was performed to assess the cross-sectional area of the spinal canal before surgery and after decompression. Patients at initial evaluation averaged greater than 67% spinal canal compromise. After surgery, successful decompression was accomplished in 57 patients. One patient required staged, anterior thoracoabdominal decompression and fibula strut grafting. At follow-up (average, 43 months; range, 25-70 months), neurologic improvement was found in 77% of the patients who initially presented with neurologic deficits. Thirty-four of 40 patients with incomplete paraplegia improved one or more subgroups on the Frankel scale. A solid fusion was attained in all 58 patients. No patient had a significant residual kyphotic deformity. Single-stage bilateral transpedicular decompression and dual Harrington rod instrumentation reliably provides decompression of the spinal canal and restores spinal alignment. The procedure allows early mobilization and provides an environment for solid fusion and maximum neurologic return.     

经一侧伤椎短节段椎弓根固定联合椎体内植骨治疗胸腰段椎体骨折

目的 探讨经一侧伤椎短节段椎弓根固定联合椎体内植骨治疗胸腰段椎体骨折的可行性及疗效.方法 将自2005年1月～2009年5月行短节段椎弓根钉固定联合椎体内植骨治疗的102例胸腰段椎体骨折随机分为两组.A组行后路短节段椎弓根钉固定结合经一侧伤椎椎弓根固定联合椎体内植骨,B组行后路跨伤椎短节段椎弓根钉固定联合椎体内植骨.结果 本组获随访12～24个月.术后1周后凸Cobb角、椎体前缘高度两组间比较,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05),末次随访时A组矫正角度、椎体前缘高度丢失量明显小于B组,差异有统计学意义(P＜.05).B组末次随访时腰背痛发病率以及内固定失败率明显高于A组,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论 经一侧伤椎短节段椎弓根固定联合椎体内植骨治疗胸腰段椎体骨折是一种有效的方法.     

椎旁肌间隙入路经伤椎椎弓根植骨内固定治疗胸腰椎骨折

目的 探讨椎旁肌间隙人路经伤椎椎弓根羟基磷灰石植骨内固定治疗胸腰椎骨折的安全性及有效性.方法 2007年6月至2008年12月,采用椎旁肌间隙入路经伤椎椎弓根羟基磷灰石植骨、短节段椎弓根螺钉固定治疗19例胸腰椎骨折患者,其中男性12例,女性7例;年龄21～57岁,平均40.8岁.受伤至手术时间1～5 d,平均2.9 d.均为单节段骨折,其中T111例,T125例,L19例,L2 4例;依据Denis骨折分型,压缩型骨折5例,爆裂型骨折14例;术前椎体前缘高度平均57.2%,后凸角平均17.6°,椎管占位率平均27.7%;负荷分配分类法评分平均5.2分;神经功能按ASIA分级:B级2例,C级9例,D级8例.结果 手术时间60～95 min,平均83.8 min;术中出血量90～200 ml,平均133 ml;患者切口均一期愈合.术后随访12～36个月,平均19.2个月;末次随访椎体前缘高度恢复至88.4%,后凸矫正至6.1°,椎管占位率恢复至8.2%;末次随访神经功能恢复情况:D级2例,E级17例;所有病例未发现内固定失效及腰背部疼痛症状.结论 椎旁肌间隙入路经伤椎椎弓根羟基磷灰石植骨内固定可有效改善神经功能及维持矫正效果,具有组织损伤轻、出血少和降低手术创伤导致的椎旁肌退变及术后腰背痛的发生率等优点.

Abstract：

Objective To investigate the feasibility and safety of the treatment for thoracolumbar fractures with transpedicular intracorporeal hydroxyapatite grafting and pedicle screw fixation via paraspinal approach. Methods From June 2007 to December 2008, 19 cases of thoracolumbar fractures were treated with transpedicular intracorporeal hydroxyapatite grafting and pedicle screw fixation via paraspinal approach. There were 7 female and 12 male, ranging from 21 to 57 years of age (mean 40. 8 years) at surgery. The time from injury to surgery varied from 1 d to 5 d ( mean 2. 9 d). Nineteen patients all suffered from single thoracolumbar fracture with the distribution of injury level being T11 in 1, T12 in 5, L1 in 9, and L2 in 4. According to Denis fracture classification, there were 5 compression fractures and 14 burst fractures.The mean preoperative ratio of the anterior height of the body was 57. 2%, kyphosis angle was 17.6° and occupation of spinal canal was 27.7%. The mean preoperative load-sharing classification of spine fractures was 5.2. Based on the ASIA neurologic grading system, preoperative neurological function was grade B in 2 cases, C in 9 and D in 8. Results Median operating time was 83. 8 min ( range 60-95 min) and median blood loss was 133 ml (range 90-200 ml). Infection did not occur in any of the patients and the operative incisions were healing well. Average follow-up time was 19. 2 months (range 12-36 months). At the latest follow-up, the height of the anterior border was corrected to 88.4%, the kyphosis angle was 6. 1 ° , and the occupation of spinal canal was 8.2% on average. The postoperative neurologic function of all 19 patients was improved with grade D in 2 cases and E in 17. There were no instances of instrumentation failure and no patient had persistent postoperative back pain. Conclusions Transpedicular intracorporeal hydroxyapatite grafting and pedicle screw fixation via paraspinal approach could provide reliable neurologic improvement in patients with incomplete neurologic deficit, and could prevent the development of kyphosis. Furthermore, it has the obvious advantages of less invasive and blood loss, and decreases the risks of postoperative lumbodorsal pain.     

经椎弓根植骨和椎体成形术治疗胸腰椎爆裂性骨折

目的 探讨经椎弓根植骨和椎体成形术治疗胸腰椎爆裂性骨折的方法和效果。方法 采用经椎弓根植骨椎体成形术治疗胸腰椎爆裂骨折24例并与同期同类骨折31例作比较性研究。结果 治疗组24例有1例螺钉松动,松动率4％,无断钉。对照组31例有8例内固定不同程度松动,松动率25％,2例断钉,断钉率6％。治疗组,对照组在前后缘高度的恢复,术前术后Cobb角的纠正,螺钉松动,断钉率等项指标中均存在着显著性差异(P<0.05)。结论 经椎弓根椎体植骨成形术重建了椎体高度,增加了脊柱前柱的抗压稳定性,使病人能早期活动,减少内固定物因应力过大造成的断钉、松动、椎体再压缩等并发症。     

Transpedicular hydroxyapatite grafting with indirect reduction for thoracolumbar burst fractures with neurological deficit: A prospective study

Background:

The major problem after posterior correction and instrumentation in the treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures is failure to support the anterior spinal column leading to loss of correction of kyphosis and hardware breakage. We conducted a prospective consecutive series to evaluate the outcome of the management of acute thoracolumbar burst fractures by transpedicular hydroxyapatite (HA) grafting following indirect reduction and pedicle screw fixation.

Materials and Methods:

Eighteen consecutive patients who had thoracolumbar burst fractures and associated incomplete neurological deficit were operatively treated within four days of admission. Following indirect reduction and pedicle screw fixation, transpedicular intracorporeal HA grafting to the fractured vertebrae was performed. Mean operative time was 125 min and mean blood loss was 150 ml. Their implants were removed within one year and were prospectively followed for at least two years.

Results:

The neurological function of all 18 patients improved by at least one ASIA grade, with nine (50%) patients demonstrating complete neurological recovery. Sagittal alignment was improved from a mean preoperative kyphosis of 17°to −2°(lordosis) by operation, but was found to have slightly deteriorated to 1° at final followup observation. The CT images demonstrated a mean spinal canal narrowing preoperatively, immediate postoperative and at final followup of 60%, 22% and 11%, respectively. There were no instances of hardware failure. No patient reported severe pain or needed daily dosages of analgesics at the final followup. The two-year postoperative MRI demonstrated an increase of one grade in disc degeneration (n = 17) at the disc above and in 11 patients below the fractured vertebra. At the final followup, flexion-extension radiographs revealed that a median range of motion was 4, 6 and 34 degrees at the cranial segment of the fractured vertebra, caudal segment and L1-S1, respectively. Bone formation by osteoconduction in HA granules was unclear, but final radiographs showed healed fractures.

Conclusions:

Posterior indirect reduction, transpedicular HA grafting and pedicle screw fixation could prevent the development of kyphosis and should lead to reliable neurological improvement in patients with incomplete neurological deficit. This technique does not require fusion to a segment, thereby preserves thoracolumbar motion.     

Posterior short-segment instrumentation and limited segmental decompression supplemented with vertebroplasty with calcium sulphate and intermediate screws for thoracolumbar burst fractures

Purpose

Thoracolumbar burst fractures treated with short-segment posterior instrumentation without anterior column support is associated with a high incidence of implant failure and correction loss. This study was designed to evaluate the clinical and radiographic results following posterior short-segment instrumentation and limited segmental decompression supplemented with vertebroplasty with calcium sulphate and intermediate screws for patients with severe thoracolumbar burst fractures.

Methods

Twenty-eight patients with thoracolumbar burst fractures of LSC point 7 or more underwent this procedure. The average follow-up was 27.5 months. Demographic data, radiographic parameters, neurologic function, clinical outcomes and treatment-related complications were prospectively evaluated.

Results

Loss of vertebral body height and segmental kyphosis was 55.3 % and 20.2° before surgery, which significantly improved to 12.2 % and 5.4° at the final follow-up, respectively. Loss of kyphosis correction was 2.2°. The preoperative canal encroachment was 49 % that significantly improved to 8.8 %. The preoperative pain and function level showed a mean VAS score of 9.2 and ODI of 89.9 % that improved to 1.4 and 12.9 % at the final follow-up, respectively. No implant failure was observed in this series, and cement leakage occurred in two cases without clinical implications.

Conclusions

Excellent reduction and maintenance of thoracolumbar burst fractures can be achieved with short-segment pedicle instrumentation supplemented with anterior column reconstruction and intermediate screws. The resultant circumferential stabilization combined with a limited segmental decompression resulted in improved neurologic function and satisfactory clinical outcomes, with a low incidence of implant failure and progressive deformity.     

Surgical outcomes of temporary short-segment instrumentation without augmentation for thoracolumbar burst fractures

BackgroundShort-segment posterior spinal instrumentation for thoracolumbar burst fracture provides superior correction of kyphosis by an indirect reduction technique, but it has a high failure rate. We investigated the clinical and radiological results of temporary short-segment pedicle screw fixation without augmentation performed for thoracolumbar burst fractures with the goal of avoiding treatment failure by waiting to see if anterior reconstruction was necessary.MethodsWe studied 27 consecutive patients with thoracolumbar burst fracture who underwent short-segment posterior instrumentation using ligamentotaxis with Schanz screws and without augmentation. Implants were removed approximately 1 year after surgery. Neurological function, kyphotic deformity, canal compromise, fracture severity, and back pain were evaluated prospectively.ResultsAfter surgery, all patients with neurological deficit had improvement equivalent to at least 1 grade on the American Spinal Injury Association impairment scale and had fracture union. Kyphotic deformity was reduced significantly, and maintenance of the reduced vertebra was successful even without vertebroplasty, regardless of load-sharing classification. Therefore, no patients required additional anterior reconstruction. Postoperative correction loss occurred because of disc degeneration, especially after implant removal. Ten patients had increasing back pain, and there are some correlations between the progression of kyphosis and back pain aggravation.ConclusionTemporary short-segment fixation without augmentation yielded satisfactory results in reduction and maintenance of fractured vertebrae, and maintenance was independent of load-sharing classification. Kyphotic change was caused by loss of disc height mostly after implant removal. Such change might have been inevitable because adjacent endplates can be injured during the original spinal trauma. Kyphotic change after implant removal may thus be a limitation of this surgical procedure.     

经伤椎内固定椎间椎体内打压植骨治疗胸腰椎骨折

目的探讨后路经伤椎短节段复位内固定联合椎间椎体打压植骨治疗胸腰椎骨折的疗效。方法采用经伤椎后路复位短节段内固定、椎间椎体内植骨治疗21例胸腰椎骨折患者。根据术前、术后1周及末次随访时正、侧位X线片评判术后伤椎椎体前缘高度、后凸Cobb角恢复及内固定失败和骨融合情况。结果患者均获随访,时间12~32个月。未见断钉断棒及内固定松动。伤椎及椎间植骨均获骨性愈合。伤椎椎体前缘高度:术后1周为95.1%±3.2%,末次随访时为93.9%±3.6%,均较术前39.6%±10.3%明显改善(P0.01)。损伤节段后凸Cobb角:术后1周为12.2°±2.9°,末次随访时为12.9°±3.5°,均较术前(33.7°±6.2°)明显恢复(P0.01)。末次随访时与术后1周比较,伤椎椎体前缘高度和Cobb角均无明显变化(P0.05)。结论后路经伤椎短节段内固定联合椎间及伤椎打压植骨治疗胸腰椎骨折,重建了椎间和椎体的稳定性,有助于减少术后内固定失败及矫正丢失。     

后路截骨联合钉道强化术治疗陈旧性骨质疏松性胸腰椎骨折并后凸畸形

目的 观察后路截骨联合钉道强化术治疗陈旧性骨质疏松性胸腰椎骨折并后凸畸形的临床效疗.方法 回顾性分析2008年1月～2010年6月采用此方法治疗的21例陈旧性骨质疏松性胸腰椎骨折并后凸畸形患者的临床资料,应用Oswestry功能障碍指数（Oswestry Disability Index,ODI）、疼痛视觉模拟量表（visual analogue scale,VAS）评分、美国脊髓损伤学会（American spinal injury association,ASIA）分级、影像学资料评估治疗效果,并记录手术并发症.结果 所有患者随访16～24个月,平均随访18.7月.术后3个月及末次随访时VAS评分、ODI评分、Cobb角与术前相比差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.05）.所有患者均未发生内固定相关并发症,没有出现有症状的骨水泥渗漏.末次随访时21例患者中ASIA分级C级恢复到D级1例、恢复到E级1例,由D级恢复到E级19例.结论 后路截骨联合钉道强化术治疗陈旧性骨质疏松性胸腰椎骨折并后凸畸形短期疗效满意.     

Treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures with polymethyl methacrylate vertebroplasty and short-segment pedicle screw fixation

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of reinforcing short-segment pedicle screw fixation with polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) vertebroplasty in patients with thoracolumbar burst fractures. METHODS: We enrolled 70 patients with thoracolumbar burst fractures for treatment with short-segment pedicle screw fixation. Fractures in Group A (n = 20) were reinforced with PMMA vertebroplasty during surgery. Group B patients (n = 50) were not treated with PMMA vertebroplasty. Kyphotic deformity, anterior vertebral height, instrument failure rates, and neurological function outcomes were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Kyphosis correction was achieved in Group A (PMMA vertebroplasty) and Group B (Group A, 6.4 degrees; Group B, 5.4 degrees). At the end of the follow-up period, kyphosis correction was maintained in Group A but lost in Group B (Group A, 0.33-degree loss; Group B, 6.20-degree loss) (P = 0.0001). After surgery, greater anterior vertebral height was achieved in Group A than in Group B (Group A, 12.9%; Group B, 2.3%) (P < 0.001). During follow-up, anterior vertebral height was maintained only in Group A (Group A, 0.13 +/- 4.06%; Group B, -6.17 +/- 1.21%) (P < 0.001). Patients in both Groups A and B demonstrated good postoperative Denis Pain Scale grades (P1 and P2), but Group A had better results than Group B in terms of the control of severe and constant pain (P4 and P5) (P < 0.001). The Frankel Performance Scale scores increased by nearly 1 in both Groups A and B. Group B was subdivided into Group B1 and B2. Group B1 consisted of patients who experienced instrument failure, including screw pullout, breakage, disconnection, and dislodgement (n = 11). Group B2 comprised patients from Group B who did not experience instrument failure (n = 39). There were no instrument failures among patients in Group A. Preoperative kyphotic deformity was greater in Group B1 (23.5 +/- 7.9 degrees) than in Group B2 (16.8 +/- 8.40 degrees), P < 0.05. Severe and constant pain (P4 and P5) was noted in 36% of Group B1 patients (P < 0.001), and three of these patients required removal of their implants. CONCLUSION: Reinforcement of short-segment pedicle fixation with PMMA vertebroplasty for the treatment of patients with thoracolumbar burst fracture may achieve and maintain kyphosis correction, and it may also increase and maintain anterior vertebral height. Good Denis Pain Scale grades and improvement in Frankel Performance Scale scores were found in patients without instrument failure (Groups A and B2). Patients with greater preoperative kyphotic deformity had a higher risk of instrument failure if they did not undergo reinforcement with vertebroplasty. PMMA vertebroplasty offers immediate spinal stability in patients with thoracolumbar burst fractures, decreases the instrument failure rate, and provides better postoperative pain control than without vertebroplasty.     

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.     

Loss of correction after dorsal stabilization of burst fractures of the thoracolumbar junction. The role of transpedicular spongiosa plasty

Short segment pedicle instrumentation for thoracolumbar burst fracture is known to fail due to lack of anterior support. Additional transpedicular grafting and dorsolateral fusion were offered to prevent its failure. The purpose of this study was to analyse the clinical and radiological outcome in two identical groups of patients treated with short segment pedicle instrumentation and posterolateral fusion with and without inter- and intracorporal transpedicular bone grafting. The clinical and radiological results of two identical groups of patients with thoracolumbar burst fractures were analysed. 15 patients (2 f, 13 m), mean age 35 years, were treated with bisegmental fixation with the fixateur interne and unisegmental fusion. Further 15 patients (3 f, 12 m), mean age 34 years, obtained additional intra- and intercorporal bone grafting. The implants were removed 15 resp. 13 months post surgery. Latest clinical and radiological follow-up was at 61/24 months. The clinical results were identical in both groups. Radiological measurements showed a significant loss of correction for all three measured angles (vertebral kyphosis, unisegmental kyphosis and bisegmental kyphosis) in both groups. However, patients with transpedicular bone grafting showed less loss of bony, vertebral kyphosis. Neither dorsolateral fusion nor dorsolateral fusion with transpedicular bone grafting could prevent loss of angular corrections.