Percutaneous fixation of fractures of the spine: 1-year clinical and radiological follow-up

Fixação percutânea de fraturas da coluna vertebral: seguimento clínico e radiológico de 1 ano

Fijación percutánea de las fracturas vertebrales: seguimiento clínico y radiológico de 1 año

Objective:

To evaluate the preliminary results of the surgical treatment through minimally invasive fixation technique in patients with thoracolumbar spinal fractures.

Methods:

Retrospective study of 17 patients with fractures of thoracolumbar vertebrae who underwent surgery with percutaneous fixation in the period of 2009 to 2011. The clinical evaluation of the results was performed using the SF-36 and Oswestry questionnaires. The radiographic parameters evaluated were: fracture classification according to Magerl's criteria, wedge angle of the fractured vertebrae and bisegmental Cobb angle. These measurements were made in the preoperative, immediate postoperative and 1 year after surgery. Other data such as associated injuries, neurological deficit, post-surgical infection, loosening and breakage of implants were also considered.

Results:

The data revealed average scores above 80% in all domains of the SF-36 questionnaire while in Oswestry Questionnaire, 79% of patients had minimal or absent physical limitations with a mean score of 12.4±11.89%. The average Cobb angle for preoperative kyphosis was 5.53º±13.80o, 2.18º±13.38o in the early postoperative period and 5.26º±13.95o one year after surgery. The average correction obtained after surgery was 3.35º and the average correction loss was 3.19º. No complications such as post-surgical infection, permanent neurological deficits and implant loosening and breakage were observed.

Conclusion:

The surgical treatment of fractures of thoracolumbar vertebrae using a minimally invasive technique provides satisfactory clinical and radiographic results with low complication rates.

Spine; Spinal injuries; Spinal fractures; Fracture fixation