Short vs long posterior fixation of thoracolumbar spine injuries

Abstract

Introduction. More than a quarter of total number of posterior fixations of thoracolumbar spine is unsuccessful. Material and methods. The aim is to compare short and long fixation of thoracolumbar spine injuries. During the period of 2006 to 2015 we examined 99 patients at the Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology of Clinical Center of Vojvodina. Short fixation was performed in 63 cases and long fixation in 36 cases. All patients underwent clinical, radiographic and neurological evaluation. Mean age in the short fixation group was 47 (18-66) and in the long fixation group it was 43 (17-70). Mean follow-up time was 4,5 years. Results. Implants were extracted in 14 cases of short and in 4 cases of long fixation. Collapse of anterior part of vertebral body developed in 28,45% in the short fixation group and in 22,43% in the long fixation group whereas angulation value was 10,2o and 12,3o respectively. Mean low back outcome scale value was 61 points in the short fixation group and 50 in the long fixation group. There were 22 patients with neurological deficit. Full recovery was recorded in 8 patients (36,4%) of the short fixation group and in 17 patients (22,7%) of the long fixation group. Complications developed in 15 patients (23,8%) of the short fixation group and 11 (30,6%) of the long fixation group. Conclusion. Short fixation is biomechanically weaker but provides a better functional recovery than long fixation.