Thoracoscopically assisted corpectomy and percutaneous transpedicular instrumentation in management of burst thoracic and thoracolumbar fractures

Study design

This is a prospective observational study.

Purpose

The aim of this study was to determine whether the combination of thoracoscopically assisted corpectomy with posterior percutaneous transpedicular instrumentation in prone position achieves treatment goals in burst thoracic or thoracolumbar fractures and minimizes the associated morbidities.

Methods

Between December 2007 and December 2008, 26 patients with acute burst spinal fractures were operated upon in our hospital. Those patients underwent posterior percutaneous stabilization plus anterior thoracoscopically assisted corpectomy and fusion in prone position. Clinical and radiological outcomes of these patients were evaluated after a minimum follow-up period of 2 years. The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) combined with clinical examination was used for clinical evaluation. Plain X-ray in two views was used for the radiological evaluation.

Results

The mean operative time was 248 min. The average blood loss was 765 ml. Ten patients had preoperative neurological deficits ranging from Frankel A to D. One patient did not show any neurological improvement at the final follow-up. The mean ODI at final follow-up was about 7. The mean preoperative kyphosis angle was 25.58°, improved to 9.2° postoperatively and to 13.8° at the final follow-up. No cases of implant failure were reported at the final follow-up.

Conclusions

Minimal invasive spinal techniques including thoracoscopic decompression and fusion and short segment posterior percutaneous instrumentation showed good clinical outcomes and can be considered as alternative to open procedures with decreased rates of morbidities in managing burst thoracic and thoracolumbar fractures.