ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the clinical effects of surgical treatment of lower lumbar fracture with mini-incision via retroperitoneal anterior approach. Methods The data of 21 cases with serious lower lumbar burst fracture were analyzed retrospectively. There were 15 males and 6 females with an average age of 35.9 years (ranged, 19-65 years). The lesion was located in L3 in 10 cases, L4 in 8 and L5 in 3cases. According to Magerl classification, there was type A (burst in 12 cases, type B (distraction) in 2 and type C (retortion) in 7 cases. All the 21 cases were treated with anterior decompression, bone graft fusion and internal fixation with mini-incision via retroperitoneal anterior approach. The changes of radiograph and neurologic status were recorded respectively. Results All the cases had been followed up for an average of 41.9 months (12-86 months). The radiograph showed obvious improvement on the injured body height (from 42.62％ preoperatively to 94.33％ postoperatively, P＜0.01) and the canal encroachment index (from 2.67 preoperatively to 0.14 postoperatively, P＜0.01). Significant improvement in neurological function were achieved in all patients with the improvement of one grade except for 1 case with L3, T11 fracture and complete paraplegia. No failure of implants was found during the follow-up period. Conclusion Anterior decompression and internal fixation with mini-incision via retroperitoneal anterior approach are successful in treating serious lower lumbar burst fractures.