RESUMEN
PURPOSE: We wanted to analyse the differences of the radiological and clinical results between the combined approach and the posterior approach for treating posttraumatic kyphosis in elderly patients and to determine the risk factors for the loss of correction after the operation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between September 2004 and August 2009, 19 patients who underwent an operation for posttraumatic kyphosis and were follow-up for at least one year were included in this study. The combined approach (A group) was done for 10 patients, while the posterior approach (B group) was done for 9 patients. Radiological study and clinical evaluation, including the Korean version of the Oswestry disability index and the visual analog scale (VAS), were performed before surgery, after surgery and at the final follow-up. The risk factors related to the loss of correction of kyphosis at the fracture site were analyzed. RESULTS: In group A, the mean kyphotic angles were 35.2 before surgery, 11.1 degrees after surgery and 15.7 degrees at the final follow-up. There was 24.1 degrees (correction; 68.5%) of correction of the kyphotic angle with 4.6 degrees (19%) loss of correction. In group B, the mean kyphotic angles were 34.2 before surgery, 9.3 degrees after surgery and 13.8 degrees at the final follow-up. There was 24.9 degrees (72.8%) correction of the kyphotic angle with 4.5 degrees (18.3%) loss of correction. The clinical data was improved to the same degrees. The loss of correction was statistically correlated with osteoporosis. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the posterior approach can correct the posttraumatic kyphosis in a fashion similar to that of the combined approach. The patient's osteoporosis should be thoroughly treated for preventing correction loss.