Thoracolumbar burst fractures treated by transpedicular instrumentation without fusion in 63 cases / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE:To determine the therapeutic effect of transpedicular instrumentation without fusion on patients with thoracolumbar burst fractures.METHODS:A total of 63 patients with thoracolumbar burst fractures (the inclusion criteria was neurologically intact spine with a kyphotic angle >20° and/or decreased anterior vertebral body height > 50%) who were treated with transpedicular instrumentation without fusion were studied,including 40 cases treated by AF internal fixation,16 cases by Tennor screw-rod fixation system and 7 cases by Diapason screw-rod fixation.All patients underwent a radiological and clinical assessment (including the loss of kyphotic angle,decreased anterior vertebral body height,the midsagital diameter of the canal and the Low Back Outcome Score) preoperatively,postoperatively and after 24 months.The deformity of angulation was measured by Cobb angle.RESULTS:All pstients were followed for a 24 months,with average stay of 13.4 days.There were averaged 3.8 days from admitted to operation,and the internal fixation was removed within 8-12 months in 51 cases,followed a 9.4-day hospital stay.According to low back outcome score,46 patients achieved excellent,9 good,5 fair and 3 poor,with excellent and good rates of 88%.The Cobb's angle was 20.1° preoperatively,6.2° postoperatively,and 11.9° after 24 months.The average lose of anterior vertebral body height was changed from 49.1% preoperatively to 17.4% postoperatively,which was 20.4% after 24 months.The midsagittal diameters was 49.8% (n=63) preoperatively,78.1% (n=28) postoperatively,and 91.7% (n=25) after 24 months.The implant failure occurred in 5 patients.The radiographic parameters had no associativity to the outcome of LBOS.CONCLUSION:Transpedicular instrumentation without fusion is conductive to treating burst fractures of the thoracolumbar spine without nerve injury.The routine posterior or posterolateral fusion is unnecessary in the operative management of these fractures.