RESUMEN
ObjectiveTo evaluate the posterior paraspinal muscle approach in the treatment of thoracic and lumbar spine fractures and compare this method with the conventional approach.MethodsFrom October 2006 to October 2008,a total of 52 cases of non-neurological symptoms patients with thoracic and lumbar spine fractures were included in the study,including 37 males and 15 females with an average of 46.5 years(range,18-59 years).According to the Denis fracture classification,there were 17 compression fractures and 35 burst fractures with spinal space-occupying less than 1/3,including 1 case with T4 fracture,2 with T7 fracture,1 with T8 fracture,3 with T10 fracture,5 with Tn fracture,14 with T12 fracture,16 with L1fracture,9 with L2 fracture,and 1 with L3 fracture.The patients were divided into two groups,with 20 cases treated with the traditional approach and the other 32 cases with the posterior paraspinal muscle approach.All the patients were given pedicle screw fixation.ResultsNo significant differences were found in terms of gender,age,injured segment,operation time and follow-up period between the two groups.Compared to the traditional approach,the posterior paraspinal muscle approach was significantly advantageous in terms of time,the amount of bleeding,postoperative drainage,duration of recumbence,pain visual analogue score and Oswestry disability index after the surgery.All patients were followed up for average 21.5 months (range,12-36 months).Till the last follow-up,all patients with vertebral fractures were healed.No loosening or breaking of internal fixation was observed.ConclusionThe posterior paraspinal muscle approach for thoracic and lumbar spine fractures,retaining the posterior ligament complex,is an effective and minimally invasive treatment,with less trauma,less bleeding,the advantages of reliable clinical results.