Combined anterior and posterior approaches to treat severely unstable lower lumbar burst fractures / 中华创伤杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of combined anterior and posterior approaches in treatment of severely unstable lower lumbar burst fractures.Methods A retrospective case series study was made on clinical data of 14 patients with lower lumbar burst fractures collected from August 2009 to August 2014.There were 12 males and 2 females,with a mean age of 39 years.Seven fractures occurred at L3,five at L4,and two at L5.Nine patients were associated with injury to the posterior ligament complex (PLC).According to the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) classification,the spinal injuries were rated as grade B in two patients,grade C in four,grade D in five and grade E in three.All patients underwent posterior pedicle screw fixation combined with anterior spinal canal decompression and titanium mesh or iliac bone grafting.Lumbar lordosis angle,vertebral height,spinal canal decompression,ASIA grade and complications were evaluated after operation.Results Two patients experienced cerebrospinal fluid leakage postoperatively,which were healed after 2 weeks' local pressure treatment.Three patients experienced recurrent lumbar pain postoperatively,which were relieved after the removal of internal fixation 18 months after operation.All patients were followed up for 12-36 months (mean,18 months).Compared to the detection before operation,final follow-up showed improved lumbar lordosis [(30.2 ± 7.3) ° vs.(41.3 ± 6.5) °],decreased loss of the anterior vertebral height [(62.3 ± 21.5) ％ vs.(11.8 ± 7.8) ％] and reduced canal compromise [(65.7 ± 30.5) ％ vs.(21.9 ± 12.7)％] (all P ＜ 0.05).ASIA grade was significantly improved at the final follow-up,including grade C in one patient,grade D in three and grade E in ten (P ＜ 0.05).Follow-up showed no apparent graft loosening,pseudarthrosis,implant breakage and severe kyphosis.Conclusion Combined anterior and posterior approaches to treat severely unstable lower lumbar burst fractures can effectively reconstruct the height and stability of the vertebral body,restore the spinal canal volume,and attain satisfactory clinical outcome.