ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:Spinal canal decompression is needed in posterior pedicle screw fixation surgery for thoracolumbar burst fractures combine with spinal cord injury. The structure of posterior spine is often damaged. The posterolateral bone fusion in al fixed segment is stil the main surgery. In order to further reduce fusion segment and maintain motor unit, it is necessary to perform selective segmental bone graft fusion during fixation and decompression. OBJECTIVE: To discuss the advantages of selective posterolateral vertebral fusion for thoracolumbar fracture with spinal injury through comparing with posterolateral vertebral fusion. METHODS: Data of 83 thoracolumbar burst fracture cases, who received posterior lumbar decompression and short segment fixation with pedicle screws and bone graft through injured vertebra from January 2006 to July 2013, were analyzed retrospectively. According to fusion segments, above patients were divided into selective posterolateral vertebral fusion group (n=42) and the whole posterolateral vertebral fusion group (n=41). Perioperative index, internal fixation, vertebral height loss rate, Cobb angle, spinal nerve recovery and Oswestry Disability Index were compared between the two groups. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) Al cases were folowed up for 25-32 months. (2) There was no statistical significance in operation time, intraoperative blood loss and ambulation time between the two groups (P > 0.05). Postoperative drainage volume was less in the selective posterolateral vertebral fusion group than in the whole posterolateral vertebral fusion group (P 0.05). (4) There was no significant difference in fusion rate at 6 months after treatment between the two groups (P > 0.05). Fusion was achieved in both groups before removal of the fixator. (5) Spinal nerve recovery was found after treatment in both groups. No significant difference in Oswestry Disability Index was detected in final folow-up (P > 0.05). (6) Results verified that compared with the whole posterolateral vertebral fusion, selective posterolateral vertebral fusion can obtain a good vertebral height and prevent Cobb angle loss again, reduce the internal fixation loosening and breakage. After removal of the fixator, selective posterolateral vertebral fusion can reduce spinal motion unit lost, and decrease the adjacent vertebral degeneration.