ABSTRACT
Objective: To discuss the effectiveness of posterior short-segment fixation including the fractured vertebra for severe unstable thoracolumbar fractures using pedicle screw fixation.
ABSTRACT
Spinal fractures are a big challenge to orthopedists.Thoracolumbar Injury Classification and Severity Score (TLICS),a newly developed evaluation system for thoracolumbar fractures,has proved to be valid and reliable in the last decade.However,there have still been many problems in the clinical application of TLICS in China.We discussed nine issues about the clinical application of TLICS in this article,hoping to promote better understanding and application of TLICS in Chinese spinal surgeons in their daily practice.
ABSTRACT
Spinal fractures are a big challenge to orthopedists.Thoracolumbar Injury Classification and Severity Score (TLICS),a newly developed evaluation system for thoracolumbar fractures,has proved to be valid and reliable in the last decade.However,there have still been many problems in the clinical application of TLICS in China.We discussed nine issues about the clinical application of TLICS in this article,hoping to promote better understanding and application of TLICS in Chinese spinal surgeons in their daily practice.
ABSTRACT
STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. PURPOSE: To evaluate the radiological outcome of the surgical treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures by using short segment posterior instrumentation (SSPI) and fusion. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: The optimal surgical treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures remains a matter of debate. SSPI is one of a number of possible choices, yet some studies have revealed high rates of poor radiological outcome for this SSPI. METHODS: Patients treated using the short segment instrumentation and fusion technique at the Spinal Injuries Center (Iizuka, Fukuoka, Japan) from January 1, 2006 to July 31, 2012 were selected for this study. Radiographic parameters such as local sagittal angle, regional sagittal angle, disc angle, anterior or posterior height of the vertebral body at admission, postoperation and final observation were collected for radiological outcome evaluation. RESULTS: There were 31 patients who met the inclusion criteria with a mean follow-up duration of 22.7 months (range, 12-48 months). The mean age of this group was 47.9 years (range, 15-77 years). The mean local sagittal angles at the time of admission, post-operation and final observation were 13.1degrees, 7.8degrees and 14.8degrees, respectively. There were 71% good cases and 29% poor cases based on our criteria for the radiological outcome evaluation. The correction loss has a strong correlation with the load sharing classification score (Spearman rho=0.64, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The loss of kyphotic correction following the surgical treatment of thoracolumbar burst fracture by short segment instrumentation is common and has a close correlation with the degree of comminution of the vertebral body. Patients with high load sharing scores are more susceptible to correction loss and postoperative kyphotic deformity than those with low scores.
Subject(s)
Humans , Classification , Congenital Abnormalities , Follow-Up Studies , Retrospective Studies , Spinal InjuriesABSTRACT
STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective comparative analysis of the short-segment and long-segment posterior fixation in thoracolumbar burst fractures that are 7 points or above in load-sharing score was performed. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the appropriate level of fixation by comparing the results of short-segment and long-segment posterior fixation. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: There is general consensus that short-segment fixation should be done in thoracolumbar burst fractures that are 6 points or less in load-sharing classification. There is some controversy regarding whether short-segment or long-segment fixation should be done in thoracolumbar burst fractures that are 7 points or above in load-sharing classification. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 1998 through 2008, 32 patients with thoracolumbar burst fractures above 7 points in load-sharing classification had been operated with short-segment (1 segment above and 1 segment below: 23 patients) or long-segment (2 segments above and 1 segment below: 9 patients) transpedicular screw fixation at the author's institution. They were divided by two groups (group I: short-segment fixation, group II: long-segment fixation). The mean age of patients was 49.2 years old and the mean follow-up period was 2.4 years (1-7 years). In preoperative and postoperative simple radiographs, the bony unions, breakages or loosening of implants were assessed, and the losses of correction angle and anterior vertebral body height were measured. RESULTS: In all cases, non-union or loosening of implants were not observed. There was 1 screw breakage in short-segment fixation group during the follow up period, but bony union was obtained at final follow-up. The mean score of load sharing classification was 7.3 in Group I and 7.1 in Group II, and there was no significant difference between two groups. (p>0.05) The mean anterior vertebral body height loss was 5.3% in Group I and 3.6% in Group II and the mean loss of correction angle were 4.72 in Group I and 3.38 in Group II. There was no significant difference between the two groups for both. (p>0.05) CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant difference in radiologic parameters between two groups. Short-segment fixation could be used successfully in selected cases of thoracolumbar burst fractures that are 7 points or above in load-sharing classification.
Subject(s)
Humans , Body Height , Consensus , Follow-Up Studies , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and usefulness of the short-segment posterior instrumentation and fusion in the treatment of thoracolumbar spine fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-two patients were treated by short-segment pedicle screw instrumentation and fusion between Oct. 1998. and Jan. 2004 by single surgeon. All patients were treated posteriorly and all the pedicle screws are monoaxial. Intraoperative rod bending and fixation technique was used to reduce the collapsed vertebral body and correct the kyphotic angle. The follow up duration is mean 2.1 year (1~6 year). The mean age is 40.2 year (18~60 year) old. The fractures were classified by Denis' classification and Load-Sharing Classification. Preoperative and postoperative changes of kyphotic angle and vertebral body height were measured. Denis' Pain Score and Work scales, Frankel neurologic grade were obtained during follow-up evaluation for patients. RESULTS: All the cases got solid bony union. Mean Load-Sharing Score was 7.3. Clinical results were good. The mean kyphotic angle was preoperatively 14.5 degree, immediate postoperatively 7.5 degree, and last follow up 9.2 degree. The mean anterior vertebral heights s were 60.8% preoperatively, 83.4% immediate postoperatively, and 79.5% last follow up. There was only one case of screw breakage but no revision operation due to loss of reduction. All the cases showed satisfactory clinical results. CONCLUSION: This study suggest that short-segment instrumentation and fusion using pedicle screw system for thoracolumbar spine fractures could lead to good results, if comminution of vertebral body is considered in the selection of approach.
Subject(s)
Humans , Body Height , Classification , Follow-Up Studies , Spine , Weights and MeasuresABSTRACT
STUDY DESIGN: The authors designed the retrospective study with the Load-Sharing Classification in 47cases of the bursting thoracic-lumbar fractures, which were operated using the pedicle screws. OBJECTIVE: To judge the effectiveness of posterior short segment instrumented fusion in thoracic-lumbar fractures according to the Load-Sharing classification. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From 1995 through 1998, 47 patients who had been operated with short segment transpedicular instrumentation including fractured vertebra were selected and they were divided two groups, one below 6 point of Load-Sharing score, the other above 7 point. In follow up of average 39 months, the guide of reduction loss, which include the change of anterior vertebral body height and sagittal index were analysed statistically with the Student T-test at the postoperative time and the last follow-up time. RESULTS: In group below 6 point, the average of anterior vertebral body height was 56.2% before the operation and reduced 77.6% after the operation and measured 76.4% at final follow-up. The reduction loss was 1.2%. The sagittal index of preoperative 19.4degree became 10.6degree after the operation and measured 11.8degree at the last follow-up. The loss of correction angle was 1.2degree . In the other group above 7 point, anterior vertebral body height was average 51.7% before the operation and reduced 75% after the operation and measured 71.2% in last follow up, so reduction loss was 3.8%. Sagittal index was average 21.6degree before the operation and corrected 12.6 after the operation and measured 14.6degree in last follow up. All of 19 patients with neurologic deficits improved by over the one Frankel grade except grade A. CONCLUSION: Although the additional study is needed, there were no significant difference of statistical analysis about indexes between two groups.