Abstract
Objective To investigate the efficacy of posterior decompression pedicle screw fixation and single pedicle screw fixation for thoracolumbar fracture with greenstick lamina fracture. Methods A retrospective case series study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 106 patients with thoracolumbar fractures combined with greenstick lamina fractures admitted to the 909th hospital from January 2011 to May 2016. There were 68 males and 38 females, aged 21-58 years [(39.5±7.1)years]. The fracture was located at T11 in 9 patients, at T12 in 6, at L1 in 28, at L3 in 11. A total of 58 patients underwent posterior decompression pedicle screw fixation including 37 males and 21 females, aged 23-58 years [(38.7±6.6)years]. The preoperative neurological function was evaluated according to ASIA grade: grade A for three patients, grade B for nine, grade C for 14, grade D for 27, and grade E for 53 patients. A total of 48 patients were treated with single posterior pedicle screws fixation including 31 males and 17 females, aged 21-57 years [(41.4±5.8)years]. Statistical indicators included operation time, intraoperative blood loss, anterior height ratio of injured vertebrae, sagittal Cobb angle, visual analogue scale (VAS), ASIA grading, dural tears and/or cauda equina entrapment, and complications. Results All patients were followed up for 24-72 months [(30.2±4.7)months]. The operation time ranged from 105 to 137 minutes [(113.5±21.3)minutes], and the intraoperative blood loss was 235-310 ml [(252.2±28.6)ml] in the posterior decompression and pedicle screws fixation group. In the posterior pedicle screw fixation group, the operation time ranged from 52 to 85 minutes [(65.3±9.6)minutes], and the intraoperative blood loss was 72-125 ml [(90.2±23.6)ml]. The anterior height ratio of injured vertebrae, sagittal Cobb angle and VAS score of the two groups were significantly improved immediately after operation and at the last follow-up (all P<0.01). At one year follow up, the ASIA grading in patients treated with single posterior pedicle screw fixation remained the same while the ASIA grading of patients treated with posterior decompression pedicle screw fixation was significantly improved compared with before operation. Dural tears were found in 12 patients and cauda equina entrapment were found in five patients during decompression. Three patients had neurological function injury after posterior pedicle screw internal fixation surgery, and they received a second decompression operation. Dural tears and/or cauda equina entrapment were subsequently found in all of the three patients. No complications related to internal fixation occurred during follow-up. Conclusions Both posterior decompression pedicle screw fixation and single pedicle screw fixation can effectively correct the kyphosis deformity, restore vertebral body height, and relieve pain in the treatment of thoracolumbar fracture with greenstick lamina fracture. Dural tears and/or cauda equina entrapment might be subsequently found in greenstick lamina fracture. Posterior pedicle screw fixation can not release the entrapped cauda nerve, so attention should be paid to the risk of secondary surgery. Key words: Spinal fractures; Thoracic vertebrae; Lumbar vertebrae; Fracture fixation, internal
Published Version
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