Treatment of severe throracolumar fractures with posterior decompression, subtotal vertebrectomy, intervertebral fusion and internal fixation through unilateral pedicle / 中华创伤骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the effects of posterior decompression,subtotal vertebrectomy,intervertebral fusion and internal fixation through unilateral pedicle in the treatment of severe throracolumar fractures.Methods A retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the outcomes of 11 patients with severe thmracolumar fracture who had been treated with posterior decompression,subtotal vertebrectomy,intervertebral fusion and internal fixation through unilateral pedicle at our department from March 2009 to March 2012.They were 10 males and one female,aged from 20 to 42 years (mean,31.1 years).According to AO classification,there were 2 cases of type B1,3 cases of type B2 and 6 cases of type C2.The Gaines scores for anterior column stability were more than 6 in all.All the patients had neurological disorders.The fracture reduction,fusion of bone grafting and recovery of neurological function were followed up.Results Their operation time ranged from 200 to 300 minutes,averaging 243.2 minutes;the amount of bleeding ranged from 800 to 1,600 mL,averaging 1,023.3 mL.No deterioration of neurological symptoms or no new neurological symptoms were observed postoperatively.Cerebrospinal fluid leakage was found in 3 patients who healed spontaneously following extubation,compressive dressing and elevation of the bed end.All the patients were followed up for 12 to 30 months (average,18.3 months).A loosened screw cap was found in one patient after 6 months who had no discomfort and received no treatment.X-ray films showed satisfactory fracture reduction and fine bone grafting locations.No spinal canal stenosis was found by CT scans.It took 3 to 6 months (mean,4.3 months) for the bone grafts to get fused.No height loss of the injured vertebrae was no found at the last follow-ups.No functional recovery was found in the patients with complete spinal cord injury whose Frankle grade remained A.The spinal function recovered from Frankel grade B to grade D in one patient with incomplete spinal injury.Of the 8 patients with medullary cone injury,7 recovered Frankle grade E and one Frankle grade D.The symptoms were relieved in one patient with simple cauda equine injury.Conclusion Posterior decompression,subtotal vertebrectomy,intervertebral fusion and internal fixation through unilateral pedicle is an effective alternative for treatment of severe throracolumar fractures,because it can lead to satisfactory fracture reduction,thorough decompression of the spinal canal and good reconstruction of spinal stability.