Korean J Neurotrauma.  2013 Oct;9(2):52-56. 10.13004/kjnt.2013.9.2.52.

Results of Combined 360-Degree Fusion versus Posterior Fixation Alone for Thoracolumbar Burst Fractures

• Sin EG
• Kim HW
• Lee CY
• Ha HG
• Jung CK

• KMID: 2156100
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.13004/kjnt.2013.9.2.52

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
To identify the better option of treatment, we compared the surgical results and efficacy of combined anterior-posterior approach versus posterior fixation alone.
METHODS
During a 10 years period from 2002 to 2011, 111 patients with thoracolumbar burst fracture was surgically managed at our institute. 25 patients were managed by a combined anterior-posterior surgery and 86 patients were managed by posterior fusion alone. Radiographs were repeated at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after operation. Radiologic outcome was evaluated by measuring Kyphotic angulation and vertebral height and the clinical outcome was evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS) score comparison.
RESULTS
The average Cobb's angle difference between immediate post operative and last follow up was 15.0degrees in combined 360-degree fusion group and 7.5degrees in posterior surgery alone group. A corrections of vertebral body height between immediate post operative and last follow up was 2.27 mm in 360-degree fusion group while 0.59 mm in posterior fixation group. The VAS score decreased from 8.4 to 2.2 after post operation 24 months in 360-degree fusion group and the posterior surgery alone group decreased 9.3 to 6.2 after post operation 24 months.
CONCLUSION
The combined anterior-posterior approach resulted in less deterioration of the kyphotic angle postoperatively and improvement of vertebral height (sagittal index). Clinical outcome was also better in the combined group.

Keyword

Burst fracture; Thoracolumbar; Circumferential fusion; Posterior fixation

MeSH Terms

Body Height
Follow-Up Studies
Humans

Figure

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  FIGURE 1. A case of thoracolumbar vertebral fracture managed by 360-degree fusion. A: Axial computed tomography scan image of a fractured spine. Bilateral pedicles and facet joints were resected and a cage was inserted. B and C: Plain radiograph showing cage insertion and transpedicular screw fixation.

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  FIGURE 2. Graph showing VAS score at admission, immediate post operation and 3, 6, 24 month after surgery. Group A was 360-degree fusion group and group B was posterior fixation group. VAS: visual analogue scale.

Reference

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