ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the efficacy of computer-assisted fluoroscopic navigation to guide the treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures. Methods 18 patients with thoracolumbar unstable fractures were treated with short-segment vertebral pedicle screw fixation guided by computer-assisted fluoroscopic navigation, and fractures were reinforced with CPC cement vertebroplasty. Postimplantatively, the implants' images-error between virtual image of fluoroscopy and X-ray image was measured. Results The implant's location was excellent. All patients were allowed sitting-up or bearing body weight one week after operation. The vertebral height restored 40% postoperatively. 12 months after operation the vertebral height only changed 0.15%. Dynamic X-ray films showed no abnormal segment instability and no instrument breaking. Conclusion Using computer-assisted fluoroscopic navigation to guide the treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures with CPC vertebroplasty and short-segment pedicle srew fixation could determine the internal fixation approach and let implants to the precise position by one time of X-ray image. It increases the security of pedicle screw fixation and vertebroplasty.