Twenty year outcomes following short-segment posterior instrumentation and fusion for thoracolumbar burst fractures: A retrospective observational study.

Abstract

This study reviews the long-term efficacy of short-segment posterior instrumentation and fusion (SSPIF) in treating thoracolumbar burst fractures. Authors retrospectively reviewed the radiographic results of single-level thoracolumbar burst fractures treated by SSPIF. Vertebral body height and wedge angles were measured on the preoperative, postoperative, and follow-up radiographic images. The degree of pain and work ability was measured using the Denis scale. The analysis consisted of 12 patients with a mean age of 39.7 years (range 21-60) and a mean follow-up of 225.6 ± 20.3 months. There were significant differences among the wedge angles at preoperative and other periods of time, but there was no significant difference between the early postoperative and all other time periods afterwards (P < .001, P = .567, P = .937, P = .879). SSPIF effectively restored the anterior and middle vertebral body height and wedge angle deformities, and the improvement was maintained for almost 20 years after the surgery. Therefore, SSPIF is a safe and effective modality of treatment for thoracolumbar burst fractures.