Efficacy of one-stage posterior-anterior approach for treatment of severe thoracolumbar fractures / 中华创伤杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe the outcomes of one-stage posterior short-level pedicle screw fixation combined with anterior fixation of severe thoracolumbar fractures.Methods A retrospective case series study was performed on 21 patients with severe thoracolumbar fractures stabilized by posterior short-level pedicle fixation combined with anterior internal fixation at one stage from January 2012 to December 2014.There were 16 males and 5 females,at age of 17 and 64 years [(38.7 ± 11.4) years].The involved segments included T11 in 2 patients,T12 in 5,Lt in 6 and L2 in 8.For AO fracture classification,type A fractures were seen in 4 patients,type B in 7 and type C in 10.Thoracolumbar injury classification and severity score (TLICS) was (8.12 ± 0.87) points (range,7-10 points).Frankel neurological performance scale was Grade B in 8 patients,Grade C in 11 and Grade D in 2.Operation time,blood loss,nerve function,kyphosis correction and complications were reported.Results Operation time was (234.5 ±57.3)min (range,180-360 min),and blood loss was (387.4 ± 124.4) ml (range,260-950 ml).Time of follow-up was (19.8 ± 3.5)months (range,14-25 months).Nerve function of 18 patients was improved by at least one Frankel scale.Cobb angle was (4.1 ±5.3)° at postoperative 3 days and (4.0 ± 4.9)°at the final follow-up,showing significant differences from that before operation [(-9.3 ± 4.2) °] (P ＜ 0.05).While the difference of Cobb angle did not differ significantly at postoperative 3 days and at final follow-up.No cerebrospinal fluid leakage,vascular injury,incision infection or nerve function deterioration occurred.Conclusion One-stage posterior short-level pediele screw fixation combined with anterior decompression and bone graft fixation is characterized by short operation time,few blood loss,good correction of traumatic kyphosis and good neurological recovery,indicating a good surgical choice for severe thoracolumbar fractures.