Prospective study of posterior open pedicle screw fixation for posttraumatic thoracolumbar and lumbar burst fractures with spinal injury at a tertiary care center: A short-term clinical and radiological follow-up

Background: Fractures of the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae are quite common injuries and their management remains controversial in the literature. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical and radiological outcomes of posterior open pedicle screw fixation (OPSF) for the treatment of posttraumatic thoracolumbar and lumbar burst fractures with spinal injury. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective study of 24 patients with thoraco-lumbar and lumbar burst fracture treated with OPSF, and each patient was followed up for a minimum period of 1 year. Demographic characteristics, clinical and radiological outcomes, and adverse events were evaluated. Results: There were 70.83% male patients and 54.17% patients were in the age group of 21 to 40 years. Road traffic accident (41.67%) was the most common mechanism of injury and L1 was the most commonly fractured vertebra followed by T12. The average operative time was 125.35 min with a mean intraoperative blood loss of 480.82 mL. There was a significant improvement in Sagital Cobb's angle, vertebral body angle, anterior vertebral body height, and visual analog score at 1 year follow-up. The common postoperative complications were superficial infection, bed sore, and urinary tract infection worsening. Implant loosening was seen only in one case. Conclusions: Patients with thoraco-lumbar and lumbar burst fractures can be effectively managed with OPSF. It allows earlier mobilization and shorter recovery time and hospital stay and has contributed for better neurological outcome when combined with early aggressive and proper physiotherapy.