Evaluation of vertebral shortening and interbody fusion with short segment pedicle screw fixation for unstable thoracolumbar fractures.

BACKGROUND

Various operative procedures have been described for the treatment of traumatic paraplegia caused by unstable thoracolumbar fractures. We prospectively evaluated interbody fusion (IBF) with SS-PSF in these cases with regard to clinico-radiological outcome with the objectives: (1) Does IBF and short segment pedicle screw fixation (SS-PSF) prevent progression of kyphotic angle after surgery? (2) Can this procedure be safely performed in the setting of acute trauma?.

METHODS

Sixteen patients suffering from traumatic paraplegia caused by acute unstable thoracolumbar fractures were enrolled prospectively and underwent IBF with SS-PSF. They were evaluated for magnitude of shortening in spine, progression of kyphotic angle, and neurological improvement by American spinal injury association scale (ASIA).

RESULTS

Out of total sixteen, 14 patients were ASIA grade A and 2 were grade C, at the time of presentation. Thirteen out of these 14 remained grade A and one improved to B. Both the patients who had grade C involvement at the time of presentation improved to grade D at one-year follow-up. The mean blood loss was 750 ml (range; 650 ml-1150 ml). Mean kyphotic angle decreased from 20.6° (range; 13° to 37°) preoperatively to 6.2° (range; 3° to 10°) at postoperative day 2 (p = 0.002). Its mean value after 6 months was 6.5° (range; 3° to 11°). The procedure resulted in mean spinal column shortening of 18 mm (range; 16 mm-22 mm) in the spinal column. All the patients achieved bony union by a mean duration of 3.9 months (range; 3 months-6 months).

CONCLUSIONS

IBF with SS-PSF has the shortest possible instrumented construct for thoracolumbar junction fusion done by posterior approach. The interbody fusion for unstable thoracolumbar junction fractures prevents the progression of kyphotic angle post-operatively.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level 4.