Posterior Instrumentation for Unstable Thoracolumbar Fractures

Abstract

Background: About 90 percent of all spinal injuries involve the thoracolumbar region. Unstable fractures need surgical treatment to achieve a painless, balanced and stable spine preserving or recovering neurological function, highest degree of spinal motion and to allow early patient mobilization.

Objective: This study was carried out to evaluate radiological outcome of posterior instrumentation in thoracolumbar fractures.

Methodology: A total of 110 patients with thoracolumbar fracture were included in the study, which was carried out at Kathmandu Medical College Teaching Hospital from December 2011 to December 2016. Unstable Arbeitsgemeinschaft fur Osteosynthesefragen type A and type B fractures were treated with short segment instrumentation and type C with long segment instrumentation. Radiological evaluation of postoperative correction of kyphotic angle and vertebral height was measured and was compared with immediate postoperative correction and loss of correction in two years final follow up.

Results: Mean postoperative correction of vertebral kyphotic angle was 25° and loss of correction in final follow up was 5°. Mean postoperative vertebral height correction was 24% and its loss in final follow up was 2%. There was no significant difference in loss of correction of vertebral kyphosis and vertebral height in short segment and long segment fi xation in final follow up.

Conclusion: Long segment posterior instrumentation results in good reduction and its maintenance for Arbeitsgemeinschaft fur Osteosynthesefragen type C thoracolumbar fractures whereas similar results can be achieved with short segment posterior instrumentation in type A and type B fractures.

 Journal of Kathmandu Medical College,

Vol. 6, No. 4, Issue 22, Oct.-Dec., 2017, Page: 150-155