ABSTRACT
Objective:To evaluate the reliability of a region-locked 3D-printed template combined with a bi-directional matching scheme in assistance of screw placement for thoracolumbar fractures.Methods:From January 2019 to March 2023, 52 patients with thoracolumbar fracture were treated at Department of Orthopedics, The People's Hospital of Liyang. They were 29 males and 23 females, with an age of (58.2±13.3) years. They were divided into a template group and a free-hand group according to the different screw placements. In the template group of 25 cases, a region-locked 3D-printed template combined with a bi-directional matching scheme was used to assist the pedicle positioning; in the free-hand group of 27 cases, the free hand screw placement was assisted only by image data and C-arm fluoroscopy. The operation time, intraoperative fluoroscopy frequency, intraoperative blood loss, complications, and placement accuracy were compared between the 2 groups. Visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), and anterior height ratio of the injured vertebra were compared between preoperation, 1 week postoperation, and the final follow-up, as well as between the 2 groups.Results:There were no statistically significant differences in the preoperative general data between the 2 groups, showing comparability ( P>0.05). All patients were followed up for (11.2±4.2) months. The differences were not statistically significant between the 2 groups in intraoperative blood loss, rate of complications, VAS or ODI at preoperation, 1 week postoperation, or the final follow-up, or in anterior height ratio of the injured vertebra ( P>0.05). In the template group, the operation time [(80.1±18.5) min] was significantly longer than that in the free-hand group [(69.4±16.6) min], the intraoperative fluoroscopy frequency [2 (2, 3) times] significantly lower than that in the free-hand group [3 (3, 4) times], and the placement accuracy [98.4% (127/129)] significantly higher than that in the free-hand group [91.8% (112/122)] (all P<0.05). All patients showed significant improvements in VAS, ODI and anterior height ratio of the injured vertebra at postoperative 1 week compared with the preoperative values, and the improvements at the last follow-up were significantly larger than those at postoperative 1 week ( P<0.05). No injury to the spinal cord, nerve root or blood vessel was observed postoperatively. Conclusions:In the treatment of thoracolumbar fractures, the screw placement assisted by a region-locked 3D-printed template combined with a bi-directional matching scheme is better than free-hand screw placement in terms of improved accuracy and reduced fluoroscopy, but the former incurs longer operative exposure than the latter. There is no significant difference between the 2 methods of screw placement in clinical efficacy.
ABSTRACT
Osteoporotic thoracolumbar fracture in the elderly will seriously reduce their quality of life and life expectancy. For osteoporotic thoracolumbar fracture in the elderly, spinal reconstruction is necessary, which should comprehensively consider factors such as the physical condition, fracture type, clinical characteristics and osteoporosis degree. While there lacks relevant clinical norms or guidelines on selection of spinal reconstruction strategies. In order to standardize the concept of spinal reconstruction for osteoporotic thoracolumbar fracture in the elderly, based on the principles of scientificity, practicality and progressiveness, the authors formulated the Clinical guideline for spinal reconstruction of osteoporotic thoracolumbar fracture in elderly patients ( version 2022), in which suggestions based on evidence of evidence-based medicine were put forward upon 10 important issues related to the fracture classification, non-operative treatment strategies and surgical treatment strategies in spinal reconstruction after osteoporosis thoracolumbar fracture in the elderly, hoping to provide a reference for clinical treatment.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of posteromedial approach through anterior border of tibialis posterior tendon combined with posterolateral approach in open reduction and internal fixation of Klammer type II/III posterior pilon variant fracture.Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted on 37 patients with posterior pilon variant fracture treated by posteromedial approach through anterior border of tibialis posterior tendon combined with posterolateral approach in Jiangsu Province People's Hospital and its Liyang branch between January 2015 and December 2019. There were 17 males and 20 females, aged 25-65 years［（49.5±9.3）years］. Klammer classification was type II in 20 patients and type III in 17 patients. The quality of fracture reduction, incision healing and postoperative complications were observed. The loss of fracture reduction or implant failure was detected during the follow-up. The fracture union time was recorded. At the final follow-up, the residual pain was assessed by the visual analogue scale（VAS）and the ankle function by the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society（AOFAS）ankle-hindfoot score.Results:All patients were followed up for 12-20 months［（15.6±1.2）months］. An anatomic fracture reduction was observed in all patients, showing the incision healing by first intention. No skin necrosis, posteromedial neurovascular bundle injury, deep venous thrombosis, checkrein deformity or other complications occurred. During the follow-up, there was no reduction loss or implant failure. The fracture healing time ranged from 11 to 16 weeks［（13.2±1.4）weeks］. At the final follow-up, the VAS was decreased from 6-9 points［（8.0±0.8）points］preoperatively to 0-2 points［（1.2±0.6）points］（ P<0.01）. At the final follow-up, the AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score ranged from 80 to 100 points［（89.7±4.6）points］, which showed excellent results in 15 patients and good in 22 patients, with the excellence rate of 100%. Conclusion:The posteromedial approach through anterior border of tibialis posterior tendon combined with posterolateral approach in open reduction and internal fixation of Klammer type II/III posterior pilon variant fracture can achieve good fracture reduction, with low incidence of complications, pain relief and satisfactory ankle function recovery.