One-stage pedicle screw fixation plus 360° spinal canal decompression and reconstruction for severe thoracolumbar burst fracture

Abstract

Objective To investigate safety and efficacy of one-stage pedicle screw fixation plus 360° spinal canal decompression and reconstruction in treatment of severe thoracolumbar burst fractures.Methods The study reviewed 11 patients (8 males and 3 females, at age range of 19-59 years, mean 34.4 years) with severe thoracolumbar burst fracture, who underwent one-stage posterior pedicle screw fixation, 360° spinal canal decompression and reconstruction. The injury location was at T12 in one patient, at L1 in three, at L2 in two, at L3 in three and at L4 in two. According to AO classification, all patients were with type A 3.3 fractures. McCormack load score was 7-9 points ( average 8.2 points). Based on the Frankel' s scale, the spinal cord function was classified as grade A in one patient, grade B in one,grade C in five and grade D in four. Results All the operations accomplished successfully, with operation duration for 3.5-4.5 hours ( mean 4.1 hours) , blood loss for 900-2 800 ml ( mean 1 750 ml) and allogeneic blood transfusion for 400-1 200 ml ( average 760 ml). There was no complication either during or after operation. The loss rate of the anterior vertebrae column height was 48％ -85％ ( average 64.2％ )before operation and recovered to 95％ -100％ (average 98.6％ ) of the normal. The kyphotic Cobb angle was at -12°-35 ° ( average 12.1 ° ) before operation and recovered to - 30°-7 ° ( average - 8.1 ° ) after operation. The spinal canal stenosis rate was improved remarkably. The patients were followed up for 10-18 months (average 14. 5 months), which showed solid bone fusion, with no implant failure. The spinal cord function was improved Ⅰ to Ⅲ degrees in all patients except for one patient at grade A. One patient had mild lower back pain.Conclusions One-stage pedicle screw fixation plus 360° spinal canal decompression and reconstruction is a good alternative for severe thoracolumbar burst fracture, but it is essential for choosing strictly the surgical indications. Key words: Spinal fractures; Thoracic vertebrae ; Lumbar vertebrae; Fracture fixation,internal ; Pedicle screws