Mid-term clinical effect of anterior decompression plus intervertebral fusion cage with nano- hydroxyapatite and polyamide 66 composite for thoracolumbar burst fractures

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the mid-term clinical effect of nano-hydroxyapatite and poly-amide 56 （ n-HA/PA66 ） intervertebral fusion cage in treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures. Methods A total of 87 patients with thoracolumbar burst fractures were managed by thoracolumbar body resection combined with n-HA/PA66 intervertebral fusion cage from December 2007 to September 2008. The clinical effect, safety and radiographic outcomes were evaluated. Results No nerve damage was deteriorated in all the patients. The neural function was improved for 1-2 grade except for four patients at Frankel grade A. The patients were followed up for mean 21.3 months （ 17-24 months）. The kyphosis was （ 14.4±12.6） ° preoperatively, （3.7±8.7） ° immediately after surgery and （4.0±8.3 ） ° at final follow-up. The distance between the upper and lower vertebral bodies was （96.9± 17.2） mm preoperatively, （109.5 ± 17.1 ） mm immediately after surgery and （108.3±16.5） mm at final follow-up. No cage replacement, internal fixation breakage or neurologic impairment were observed during follow-up period. There were 58 patients with grade E fusion, 22 with grade D fusion and 7 with grade C fusion. Conclusions Anterior decompression combined with n-HA/PA66 intervertebral fusion cage is an effective method for treatment of thoracolumbar burst fracture. The kyphosis is rectified and the intervertebral distance is corrected, with a high rate of fusion. Key words: Spinal fractures ; Thoracic vertebrae ; Lumbar vertebrae ; n-HA/PA66 inter- vertebral fusion cage