Abstract

HUBNER, André Rafael et al. Comparative analysis of techniques for fixing fractures of the thoracolumbar spine. Coluna/Columna [online]. 2011, vol.10, n.4, pp. 275-278. ISSN 1808-1851.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1808-18512011000400004.

OBJECTIVE: The study evaluates patients affected by thoracolumbar fractures, and treated by posterior instrumentation and arthrodesis. A comparative analysis of two different fixation techniques using pedicle screw fixation associated with short and long instrumentation were carried out. METHODS: Patients evaluation were performed by pain scale (VAS, visual analog scale), functional scale (Oswestry) and by clinical and radiographic criteria. RESULT: It was observed 70.3% men and 29.7% women, with mean age of 43 years and average follow-up of 39 months. Most patients had Frankel E grade at the time of data collection (83.8%). The majority of patients had A3 (63.6%) fractures at L1 (51.4%). Short instrumentation was performed in 62.2% of cases. An average of 2.7 on the pain scale and 11.2 for the Owestry was obtained in the analysis. CONCLUSION: Evaluation of techniques did not present any statistically significance.

Keywords : Spinal fractures; Thoracic vertebrae; Lumbar vertebrae; Arthrodesis; Spine [Surgery].