Surgical treatment of thoracolumbar fractures by using the posterior short segment pedicle screw fixation

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the efficacy,indications and clinical outcomes of the treatment of thoracolumbar fractures by short segmental pedicle screws fixation at the level of the fracture.Methods Thirtytwo patients with thoracolumbar fracture,who underwent surgical procedure of short segmental pedicle screws fixation at the level of the fracture from 2007 to 2010,were followed up.X rays were performed preoperatively and postoperatively to locate the injured vertebral segment height and fractured kyphosis vertebral (Cobb angle).Frankel standard was used to assess the spinal cord function.Results All patients were followed up for 12 to 20 months and were in satisfying condition in the reduction of fracture.After surgery,the height of fractured vertebral body leading edge recovered from preoperative (32.4％ ～69.3％,averaged (51.6 ± 17.8)％ ) to (85.6％ ～99.2％,averaged (92.8 ±6.2)％ ) after two weeks and (90.6％ ～97.8％,averaged (93.8 ±3.6)％ ) at the last follow-up.Fractured vertebral Cobb angle was recovered from the preoperative ( 12.8 ° ～ 30.5 °,averaged [20.8±9.1] °) to (0° ～7.8 °,averaged [4.9 ±3.2] °) two weeks later and (2.0° ～ 12.0°,averaged [ 6.2 ± 4.6 ] o at the last follow-up.Cobb angle of the injured vertebral segment and the extend of vertebral compression were significantly improved after the angle was corrected ( P ＜0.01 ).Conclusion Using reduction and short segment pedicle screw fixation at the fracture level would be helpful to correct kyphotic vertebral compression and restore the height of injured vertebrate,which was also of benefit to increase the stability of short-segment posterior fixation system and reduce the loss of correction in a long run. Key words: Spinal fracture; Pedicle screw; Injured vertebral body; Posterior a short-segment