Case series: O-arm navigation assisted by the Wiltse approach improves the accuracy of pedicle screw placement in ankylosing spondylitis combined with thoracolumbar fractures.

Here we assessed the accuracy of O-arm navigation assisted by Wiltse approach to improve based pedicle screw insertion in ankylosing spondylitis combined with thoracolumbar fractures. We then compared it with the freehand pedicle screw insertion technique. The study sample included 32 patients with ankylosing spondylitis combined with thoracolumbar fractures. Pedicle screw reduction and internal fixation was performed under an O-arm navigation system assisted by a Wiltse approach-combined osteotomy ("navigation group," n = 17) and posterior pedicle screw reduction and internal fixation was performed using freehand technique combined osteotomy ("freehand group," n = 15). We then compared the operation time and bleeding volume between the 2 groups. The visual analog scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were then used to evaluate the clinical efficacy and the kyphosis Cobb angle was used to evaluate the radiological efficacy before operation, 3 days after operation and after the last follow-up. All complications were noted when detected. Finally, classification of screw positions as proposed by Neo et al was used to evaluate the relationship of the position between the screw, the bone cortex, and the incidence of screw penetration. All patients were followed up for 18 to 36 months (i.e., 24.2 ±â€…3.5 months). The operation time and intraoperative bleeding volume of the navigation group were significantly shorter (lower) than those of the freehand group (P < .05). In addition, Both groups showed significantly decreased VAS, ODI, and Cobb angle 3 days after the operation and at the last follow-up when compared to values recorded pre-operation. However, we found no significant difference in VAS, ODI, and Cobb angle between the 2 groups (P > .05). We identified no complications (e.g., infection, VTE/PE, or nerve injury). Moreover, the pedicle screw placement position of the navigation group was better than that of the freehand group (P < .05), and the screw cortical penetration rate was lower than the freehand group (P < .05). During the process of posterior pedicle screw placement, O-arm navigation assisted by the Wiltse approach can significantly reduce operation time, minimize the amount of bleeding volume, and enhance the accuracy of pedicle screw implantation.

[Effect observation of percutaneous pedicle screw fixation combined with percutaneous vertebroplasty for the treatment of osteoporotic thoracolumbar fractures].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical effects of percutaneous pedicle screw fixation(PPSF) combined with percutaneous vertebroplasty(PVP) for the treatment of osteoporotic thoracolumbar fractures. METHODS: The clinical data of 94 patients with osteoporotic thoracolumbar fractures treated from January 2014 to December 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 31 males and 63 females, aged from 65 to 70 years old with an average of 67.2 years. Fracture level was T11 on 15 cases, T12 on 32 cases, L1 on 29 cases and L2 on 18 cases. The patients were divided into two groups according to different therapeutic methods. Percutaneous pedicle screw fixation combined with percutaneous vertebroplasty were applied in 43 patients(group A) and percutaneous vertebroplasty was applied to 51 patients(group B). Operation time, intraoperative blood loss, bone cement volume, postoperative in-bed time were recorded; preoperatively, 3 d, 1 year after the operation, the ratios of anterior border heights, sagittal Cobb angles, visual analogue scale(VAS) scores were compared between two groups. The condition of postoperative complication in two groups was analyzed. RESULTS: All the patients were followed up for 12 to 24 months with an average of 18.5 months. Operation time of group A [(96.2±28.7) min] was longer than that of group B [(31.8±10.6) min]. Intraoperative blood loss of group A[(62.2±25.5) ml] was more than that of group B [(25.4±10.9) ml]. Bone cement volume of group A [(5.5±0.5) ml] was larger than that of group B [(4.9±1.1) ml]. Postoperative in-bed time of group A[(5.1±1.8) d] was longer than that of group B[(1.8±0.7) d]. There were significant differences in operation time, intraoperative blood loss, bone cement volume, postoperative in-bed time between two groups(P<0.05). Three days, 12 months after the operation, the ratios of anterior border heights and Cobb angles in two groups were significantly improved. At final follow-up, the ratio of anterior border height and Cobb angle of group A[(85.6±3.5)%, (11.9±5.3)°] were better than of group B[(84.2±4.5)%, (15.3±3.4)°](P<0.05). Three cases in group B had re-collapse of cemented vertebral bodies. Postoperative at 3 d, 1 year, VAS score of all patients had significantly decreased(P<0.05), and there was no significant difference between two groups(P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Compared to simple PVP, PPSF combined with PVP in treating osteoporotic thoracolumbar fracture can obtain stronger vertebral strength and stiffness, furthermore to improve vertebral reduced effect, keeping vertebral heights, and preventing vertebral re-collapse.