[Curative effect of anterolateral spinal canal decompression combined with short segment screw fixation with posterior approach for severe thoracolumbar burst fractures with spinal cord injury]

Objective: To explore the effect of anterolateral spinal canal decompression combined with short segment screw fixation with posterior approach for severe thoracolumbar burst fractures with spinal cord injury.

Methods: From January 2016 to June 2018, 16 patients with severe thoracolumbar burst fractures (more than 50% of ratio of spinal canal encroachment, reverse fragment at the posterior edge of the vertebral body) with spinal cord injury were retrospectively analyzed, including 10 males and 6 females, ranging in age from 19 to 57 years old. Causes of injury:8 cases of fall injury, 6 cases of traffic accident injury and 2 cases of other injuries. Fracture site:T₁₁ in 4 cases, T₁₂ in 5 cases, L₁ in 5 cases, L₂ in 2 cases. All the patients underwent anterolateral spinal canal decompression combined with short segment screw fixation with posterior approach. The curative imaging effects were evaluated by measuring the loss height of the anterior edge of the injured vertebra, Cobb angle of the adjacent segment of the injured vertebra, and ratio of spinal canal encroachment. The clinical effects were evaluated by Frankel spinal cord injury rating and visual analogue scale (VAS).

Results: All 16 patients were followed up, and the average follow up time was (15.9±5.4) months. The average operation time was (234±41) minutes and the average amount of bleeding was (431±93) ml. The loss of anterior height of injured vertebrae was (52.25±10.10)% before operation, (8.93± 3.61)% at 3 days after operation, and (9.25±2.88)% at the latest follow up. The results of 3 days after operation and the latest follow up were better than that before operation, and there was no significant differencesbetween results at the latest follow up and 3 days after operation (P<0.01). Cobb angle of adjacent segment of injured vertebrae was (28.19±10.89)°before operation, (5.31±5.14)° 3 days after operation, and (6.81±4.59)°at the latest follow-up. The ratio of spinal canal encroachment was (67.68±12.45)% before operation, (7.69±4.46)% at 3 days after operation, and (4.75±1.63)% at the latest follow-up. At 3 days and the latest follow-up, the rate recovered to a certain extent (P<0.05). At the latest follow up, spinal nerve function was improved in 12 patients, no improvement in 4 patients and no deterioration in nerve function. VSA score was improved from preoperative 7.8±0.9 to final follow-up 1.8±0.7.

Conclusion: For severe thoracolumbar burst fracture and spinal cord injury, with more than 50% of ratio of spinal canal encroachment and reverse fragment at the posterior edge of the vertebral body, the anterolateral spinal canal decompression combined with short segment screw fixation with posterior approach has the characteristics of accurate reduction, complete decompression and firm fixation, and the clinical effect is satisfactory.