Unilateral Pediculectomy and Reduction with Short-Segment Pedicle Screw Fixation for Thoracolumbar Burst Fracture: A Case Series.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of unilateral pediculectomy and reduction with short-segment pedicle screw fixation for thoracolumbar burst fracture. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent a unilateral pediculectomy and reduction with short-segment fixation and interbody fusion for thoracolumbar burst fracture. The unilateral pediculectomy created sufficient space to approach the ventral side of the spinal cord for removing bone fragments and insertion of an interbody cage to correct kyphosis. Lumbar lordosis (LL), pelvic incidence (PI) minus LL, and segmental Cobb angle were measured at 3 time points: preoperatively, postoperatively, and final follow-up. Furthermore, sagittal vertical axis (SVA) was measured to assess global sagittal balance at the final follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 10 patients, with a mean age of 39.8 ± 21.0, underwent the surgical procedure. All patients had a thoracolumbar injury classification and severity score > 5. The mean follow-up period was 15.8 ± 13.9 months. The mean postoperative LL (46.0 ± 5.8) was significantly higher (P = 0.008) than the preoperative measurement (32.8 ± 8.2). The mean postoperative PI minus LL (2.2 ± 8.4) was not significantly lower (P = 0.051) than preoperative measurement (15.4 ± 12.6). The mean postoperative segmental Cobb angle (11.4 ± 8.4) was significantly higher (P < 0.001) than the preoperative measurement (-11.6 ± 10.9). At the final follow-up, the mean sagittal vertical axiswas 10.0 ± 28.8 mm. CONCLUSIONS: Unilateral pediculectomy and reduction with short-segment fixation and interbody fusion served as an efficient surgical method for thoracolumbar burst fracture.

Thoracic and lumbar spine trauma classification systems fail to predict post-traumatic kyphotic deformity.

Background: Post-traumatic kyphosis of the thoracic and lumbar spine can lead to pain and decreased function. MRI has been advocated to assess ligament integrity and risk of kyphosis. Methods: All thoracic and lumbar spine MRI performed for evaluation of trauma over a 3-year period at a single institution were reviewed. Patients were included if there was an MRI showing a vertebral body fracture and follow-up radiographs. Two observers retrospectively reviewed all radiographs, CT and MRI scans, and classified injuries based on the Denis, TLICS, AO and load sharing classification systems. Change in kyphosis between injury and follow-up studies was measured. The initial radiology reports made at time of patient injury were compared to the retrospective interpretations. Results: There were 67 separate injuries in 62 patients. Kyphosis measuring ≥ 10° developed despite an intact PLC in 6/14 nonoperative cases, and 3/7 surgically treated cases; when PLC was partially injured, it developed in 6/10 cases (8 treated nonoperatively, 2 treated operatively. Thirty injuries had complete disruption of PLC by MRI, 24 treated with fusion. Kyphosis ≥ 10° developed in 3/6 treated nonoperatively, and 8/24 treated with fusion. Development of kyphosis was independent of degree of vertebral body comminution. It developed equally in patients with Grade 2 and Grade 3 Denis injuries. It developed in patients with intact PLC when multiple vertebrae were involved and/or there was compressive injury to anterior longitudinal ligament (ALL). There was high interobserver variability in assessment of severity of ligamentous injury on MRI. Conclusions: Classification systems of thoracic and lumbar spine injury and integrity of the PLC failed to predict the risk of development of post-traumatic kyphotic deformity.

Surgical correction of post-traumatic kyphosis with osteotomies in the spine / Correção cirúrgica da cifose pós-traumática com o uso de osteotomias na coluna espinal / Corrección quirúrgica de cifosis postraumática con osteotomías en la columna vertebral

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the clinical and radiological evolution, indications and complications of the types of osteotomies in patients with disturbed sagittal balance (SB) resulting from post-traumatic kyphosis. The SB can be measured with a plumb line from the center of the body of C7 to S1, which allows recognizing the misalignment. The imbalance can be corrected by osteotomy. Methods: Thirty patients with SB loss due to post-traumatic kyphosis were studied from January 2014 to December 2017. SPO, PSO and VCR were performed to evaluate the degree of kyphosis before and after surgery, the Oswestry questionnaire was applied and the degree of correction, the days of hospital stay and transoperative bleeding were assessed. Results: Age, 50 years, SD = 14, follow-up time: 2-3 years. We performed 11 (36.7%) osteotomies of S-P, 17 (56.7%) pedicle subtractions and 2 (6.6%) vertebrectomies. Most of the lesions were found between levels L1 and L2; the complications were dehiscence of the surgical wound in 4 patients (13.3%) and infection in 2 (6.6%). The minimum surgical time was 3 hours; the Oswestry questionnaire did not showed statistically significant difference during the preoperative period, however, considerable improvement was observed 2 years after surgery. Conclusions: The use of corrective vertebral osteotomies significantly re-establishes the spinopelvic balance altered by different pathologies. It allows correcting in a single surgery the sagittal balance, achieving corrections from 10° to 40°, depending on the type of osteotomy performed, being a safe and effective procedure, which allows to restore the spinopelvic balance, improving the quality of life of the patients. Level of Evidence IIb; Prospective cohort study.

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar a evolução clínica, radiológica, indicações e complicações dos tipos de osteotomias em pacientes com desequilíbrio no equilíbrio sagital (ES), por uma cifose pós-traumática. O ES é o fio de prumo que vai do centro do corpo do C7 e permite reconhecer um mau alinhamento. Isso pode ser corrigido por osteotomia. Métodos: 30 pacientes foram estudados com perda no ES por cifose pós-traumático entre Janeiro de 2014 e Dezembro de 2017. SPO, PSO e VCR foram realizados, em que foi avaliado o grau de cifose pré e pós-operatório, o questionário Oswestry foi aplicado para avaliar o grau de correção, dias de internação e sangramento transoperatório. Resultados: Idade: 50 anos d.s. 14, tempo de seguimento: 2-3 anos. Foram realizados 11 (36,7%) osteotomías de SP, 17 (56,7%) subtracção de pedículo e 2 (6,6%) vertebrectomias, a maioria das lesões foi encontrada entre os níveis de L1 e L2; complicações: deiscência da ferida operatória em 4 pacientes (13,3%) e infecção em 2 (6,6%). Tempo cirúrgico mínimo: 3 horas; Oswestry questionário: não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa no pré-operatório, no entanto, no pós-operatório, em 2 anos, há uma melhoria considerável. Conclusão: A utilização de osteotomias correctiva a nível vertebral, restaura o equilíbrio espinopélvico significativamente, alterados por diferentes patologias. Corrige em um único tempo cirúrgico o equilíbrio sagital, fazendo correções da 10° a 40°, dependendo do tipo de osteotomia, sendo um procedimento seguro e eficaz, que permite espinopélvico restaurar o equilíbrio, melhorando a qualidade de vida dos pacientes. Nível de Evidência IIb; Estudo prospectivo de coorte.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Analizar la evolución clínica y radiológica, indicaciones y complicaciones de los tipos de osteotomías en pacientes con desequilibro del balance sagital (BS) resultante de cifosis postraumática. El BS se puede medir con una línea de plomada desde el centro del cuerpo de C7 hasta S1, que permite reconocer la mala alineación. El desequilibrio puede ser corregido mediante osteotomía. Métodos: Se estudiaron 30 pacientes con pérdida del BS por cifosis postraumática en el período de enero 2014 a diciembre 2017. Se realizaron SPO, PSO y VCR para evaluar el grado de cifosis pre y postquirúrgica, se aplicó el cuestionario de Oswestry, se valoró el grado de corrección, los días de estancia hospitalaria y el sangrado transoperatorio. Resultados: Edad, 50 años, DE = 14, tiempo de seguimiento, 2-3 años. Se realizaron 11 (36,7%) Osteotomias de Smith-Petersen, 17 (56,7%) sustracciones pediculares y 2 (6,6%) vertebrectomías. La mayoría de las lesiones se encontró entre los niveles L1 y L2; las complicaciones fueron dehiscencia de la herida quirúrgica en 4 pacientes (13,3%) e infección en 2 (6,6%). El tiempo quirúrgico mínimo fue de 3 horas; el Cuestionario de Oswestry no presentó diferencia estadísticamente significativa durante el preoperatorio, sin embargo, a los 2 años postoperatorios se observa mejoría considerable. Conclusiones: El uso de osteotomías vertebrales correctoras restablece significativamente el equilibrio espinopélvico alterado por diferentes patologías. Permite corregir en un solo tiempo quirúrgico el balance sagital, logrando correcciones de 10° a 40°, dependiendo del tipo de osteotomía realizada, siendo un procedimiento seguro y efectivo, que permite restaurar el equilibrio espinopélvico, mejorando la calidad de vida de los pacientes. Nivel de evidencia IIb; Estudio de cohorte prospectivo.

Which patients risk segmental kyphosis after short segment thoracolumbar fracture fixation with intermediate screws?

INTRODUCTION: The use of intermediate screws in fractured vertebrae has been proposed to decrease the number of fused levels in thoracolumbar fractures and to enable short fixations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of this technique and to establish predictive factors involved in loss of segmental kyphosis correction (LKC). METHODS: Forty-three patients who underwent short-segment spinal fixation with intermediate screws for a thoracolumbar spine fracture in a two-year time period were enrolled in the study. Patients had AO-type A3, A4 and B2 thoracolumbar fractures. Radiological parameters included segmental kyphosis (SK), vertebral wedge angle (VWA) and loss of anterior and posterior vertebral body height. Patients were evaluated up to one-year follow-up. The correlation between LKC and potential risk factors, such as smoking habit, sex, age, neurological status and BMI was evaluated. RESULTS: Mean preoperative SK was 16.5°±6.5°, and it decreased to 3.4°±3.5° postoperatively (P<0.01). At the one-year follow-up mean SK dropped to 5.5°±3.9° (P<0.01). Mean preoperative VWA was 20.0°±8.1°, and significantly improved to 6.3°±3.1° after surgery (P<0.01). There was a mean LKC of 1.8°±2.1°at one year. LKC mildly correlated with body mass index (BMI, r: +0.31), and obese patients (BMI>30) had an increased risk of LKC at the one-year follow-up (P=0.03; odds ratio [OR]=3.2). DISCUSSION: Analysis of the radiological data at one-year follow-up showed that all the evaluated parameters were associated with a mild loss of correction, with no impact on the clinical outcomes or implant failure. These findings confirm the trends reported in the literature. The correlation between LKC and clinical features, such as BMI, age, sex, smoking habit and preoperative neurological status was investigated. Interestingly, a positive correlation was observed between BMI and LKC, and obese patients with BMI>30 had an increased risk of LKC at one-year follow-up (OR 3.2); to our knowledge this finding has never before been reported. CONCLUSION: Short-segment fixation with intermediate screws is a viable technique with positive clinical and radiological outcomes at one-year follow-up. However, surgeons should be aware that in obese patients (BMI>30) this technique is associated with an increased risk of LKC. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

Management of delayed posttraumatic cervical kyphosis.

We describe three patients with misdiagnosed unstable fractures of the cervical spine, who were treated conservatively and developed kyphotic deformity, myelopathy, and radiculopathy. All three patients were then managed with closed reductions by crown halo traction, followed by instrumented fusions. Their neurologic function was regained without permanent disability in any patient. Unstable fractures of the cervical spine will progress to catastrophic neurologic injuries without surgical fixation. Posttraumatic kyphosis and the delayed reduction of partially healed fracture dislocations by preoperative traction are not well characterized in the subaxial cervical spine. The complete evaluation of any subaxial cervical spine fracture requires CT scanning to assess for bony fractures, and MRI to assess for ligamentous injury. This allows for assessment of the degree of instability and appropriate management. In patients with delayed posttraumatic cervical kyphosis, preoperative closed reduction provided adequate realignment, facilitating subsequent operative stabilization.

Prognostic value of an immediate lateral standing X-ray with a TLSO in patients with a thoracolumbar burst fracture.

UNLABELLED: The final collapse of a "stable" thoracolumbar burst fracture is difficult to predict. This collapse was prospectively studied radiologically in patients with T12 or L1 burst fractures who, after evaluating the admission x-rays and the CT scan with the patients themselves, opted for a rigid thoracolumbar brace with support in the sternal manubrium (TLSO). On the other hand, patients with rigid braces sometimes have low back pain on follow-up (due to overload of the L5-S1 joints). HYPOTHESIS: the standing lateral x-ray with only a TLSO for support (intrinsic mechanical stability) provides information on the final collapse and could also provide information on the low back pain. The study included 50 patients (20 males and 30 females, age: 63+14 years) admitted during 2011 and 2012, with 2 losses to follow-up. VARIABLES: Farcy index and local kyphosis (Cobb at 3 vertebrae). X-Rays: admission, with TLSO (immediate: Rx0), and at 3 and 6 months. They were compared with the final clinical and radiological results. It was decided to surgically intervene in 4 patients after Rx0. There were no painful sequelae at the fracture level, and 16/44 (31%) had low back pain. Using linear regression mathematical models, the increase in the Farcy index (Rx0-Rx admission) was associated with the appearance of low back pain and with local kyphosis (Rx0-Rx admission), and with the final kyphosis. It is advisable to perform a lateral standing X-ray after TLSO for information on the final collapse of the fracture and the appearance of accompanying low back pain.

Viability and long-term survival of short-segment posterior fixation in thoracolumbar burst fractures.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Short-segment pedicle screw instrumentation constructs for the treatment of thoracolumbar fractures gained popularity in the 1980s. The load-sharing classification (LSC) is a straightforward way to describe the extent of bony comminution, amount of fracture displacement, and amount of correction of kyphotic deformity in a spinal fracture. There are no studies evaluating the relevance of fracture comminution/traumatic kyphosis on the long-term radiologic outcome of burst fractures treated by short-segment instrumentation with screw insertion in the fractured level. PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of the six-screw construct in the treatment of thoracolumbar junction burst fractures and the influence of the LSC score on the 2-year radiologic outcome. STUDY DESIGN: Case series of consecutive patients of a single university hospital. PATIENT SAMPLE: Consecutive patients from one university hospital with nonosteoporotic thoracolumbar burst fractures. OUTCOME MEASURES: Being a radiology-based study, the outcome measures are radiologic parameters (regional kyphosis [RK], local kyphosis, and thoracolumbar kyphosis [TLK]) that evaluate the degree and loss of correction. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of all consecutive patients with nonosteoporotic thoracolumbar burst fractures managed with a six-screw construct in a single university hospital, with more than 2 years' postoperative follow-up. RESULTS: Eighty-six patients met the inclusion criteria, and 72 (83.7%) with available data were ultimately included in the study. The sample included 53 men and 19 women, with a mean (standard deviation [SD]) age of 35.6 years (14.4 years) at the time of surgery. Mean LSC score was 6.3 (SD 1.6, range 3-9). Forty-four of 62 (70.9) fractures had a score greater than 6. Mean (SD) RK and TLK deteriorated significantly during the first 6 months of follow-up: 2.90° (4.54°) p=.005 and 2.78° (6.45°) p=.069, respectively. Surgical correction correlated significantly (r=0.521, p<.0001) with the time elapsed until surgery. Loss of surgical correction (postoperative to 6-month RK and TLK increase) correlated significantly with the LSC score (r=0.57, p=.004; r=0.51, p=.022, respectively). Further surgery because of correction loss was not required in any case. CONCLUSIONS: The six-screw construct is effective for treating thoracolumbar junction burst fractures. The medium-to-long-term loss of correction is affected by the amount of bony comminution of the fracture, objectified through the LSC score.

Surgical Treatment of Post-Traumatic Kyphosis with Neurologic Compromised Osteoporotic Fracture: Comparison between Anterior-Posterior Surgery versus Posterior Egg-Shell Procedure / 대한척추외과학회지

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: To compare the surgical results between anterior-posterior surgery and posterior eggshell procedures in post-traumatic kyphosis with neurologic compromised osteoporotic fracture. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Combined anterior-posterior surgery is usually recommended in cases of kyphotic deformities with neurologic deficit secondary to osteoporosis. However, it is associated with significant morbidity in elderly patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-six post-traumatic kyphosis with neurologic compromised osteoporotic fracture patients subjected to either anterior-posterior surgery (n=11) or posterior egg-shell procedure (n=15) were analyzed. The average age at the operation was 62.6 years (range: 50-82), male : female ratio was 12 : 14, and the average follow up was 2.9 years (range:2.0-4.9). Preoperative interval from injury to operation was 15.4 months (range: 1-36). Thoracolumbar (T12-L1) fracture was in 20 and lumbar fracture was in 6. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in age, sex, preoperative and postoperative Frankel grade, and preoperative vertebral collapse between two groups(p<0.05). In anterior-posterior group, the mean operation time was 351 minutes with a mean blood loss of 2892 ml, and preoperative kyphosis of 22 degrees was corrected to 11 degrees at latest follow-up with 7 cases of neurologic improvement. In the eggshell group, the mean operative time was 215 minutes with blood loss of 1930 ml, and preoperative kyphosis of 34 degrees was corrected to 8 degrees at latest follow-up with 11 cases of neurologic improvement. Egg-shell group showed significantly less operation time and blood loss with beter kyphosis correction. In anterior-posterior group, postoperative pneumonia was developed in 2 and superficial infection in 1. Distal screw loosening was detected in 4, 2 in anterior-posterior group and 2 in posterior eggshell group. One of them was treated by revision and others were treated by brace more than 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Posterior eggshell procedure showed a better kyphosis correction with significantly less operation time and blood loss. It is a preferable alternative to anterior-posterior surgery in post-traumatic kyphosis with neurologic compromised osteoporotic fracture.