Two Different Minimally Invasive Approaches for Management of Thoracolumbar Fractures

Objective To compare the clinical effect and safety of pedicle screw fixation via percutaneous approach and Wiltse paraspinal approach for thoracolumbar fractures without neurological deficit.Methods 98 cases who suffered from single level thoracolumbar fracture without nerve injury were treated by pedicle screws fixation via either percutaneous approach (percutaneous group) and Wiltse paraspinal approach(paraspinal group). Perioperative indexes, imaging parameters and functional and symptom results of the two groups were recorded and compared. Results All patients were followed for more than 12 months, and the incision length and postoperative hospital stay in the percutaneous group were significantly shorter than those in the paraspinal group (P<0.05), intraoperative blood loss was less than that of the paraspinal group (P<0.05), operative and postoperative costs and the number of fluoroscopy were significantly higher than those of the paraspinal group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in operative time between the two groups (P > 0.05). The anterior edge height percentage of the injured vertebrae and kyphosis Cobb Angle were significantly improved 1 week and 1 year postoperatively in each group (P<0.05), there was no statistical difference between the two groups (P<0.05). As for Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores, in each group there were continuous decreases 3 days, 6 months, and 1 year postoperatively (P<0.05); There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups before operation, 6 months and 1 year postoperatively (P<0.05), but a significant difference 3 days postoperatively (P<0.05). In terms of Oswestry disability index (ODI), in each group there was continuous decreases 6 months and 1 year postoperatively (P<0.05); and there was no significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the accuracy of implant between the two groups (P<0.05). In the percutaneous group, there were 2 cases of incision fat liquefaction, 1 case of guidewire fracture and 1 case of the anterior wall of the vertebra penetrated by guide wire rupture. 1 diabetic case of superficial incision infection and 2 cases of skin edge necrosis were found in the paraspinal group.Conclusion In the treatment of thoracolumbar fractures without neurological defect, pedicle screw fixations via Wiltse paraspinal and percutaneous approach both can obtain minimally invasive and reliable effect, but the percutaneous approach bring smaller trauma, less blood loss, longer operation time, more fluroscopy, higher surgery and postoperative costs, with its own unique complications especially in early learning curve.

Feasibility of Endoscopic Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion(eTLIF) through the Posterior Paraspinal Approach: Technical Note and Preliminary Result

Background: Implementation of endoscopic spine surgery in the management of degenerative lumbar diseases has significantly reduced the need for fusion surgeries. The performance of a MIS-TLIF using an endoscope offers some distinct advantages, such as allowing better visualization the disc space, enhanced endplate preparation and contralateral decompression. The objective of this study was to analyze the preliminary clinical and radiological outcomes of the technique of endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (eTLIF).Materials and Methods: eighteen consecutive patients with degenerative lumbar disease underwent eTLIF through a conventional paraspinal approach. Their clinical outcomes were evaluated with visual analog scale(VAS) leg pain score, Oswestry Disability Index(ODI) and the MacNab's criteria; radiological outcome measured with segmental lordosis, global lumbar lordosis, disc height on plain radiograph and percentage of potential fusion mass on CT scan at pre-operative, post-operative and final follow up period. Intra operative and post-operative complications were noted.Results: Mean age was 63. 71 years and Mean follow-up periods was 7.78 months. In the X-ray result, mean segmental lordosis angle(SLA) improved in pre-operative/post-operative/follow-up period 9.87±2.74 degree/ 11.79±3.74 degree/ 10.56±3.69 degree (p > 0.01); mean lumbar lordosis angle(LLA) improved 37.1±7.04 degree/ 39.2±7.13 degree/ 35.7±7.25 degree (p > 0.01). Mean preoperative disc height(DH) improved from 8.97±1.49 mm/ 12.34±1.39 mm/ 11.44±1.98 mm (p < 0.01). In the CT result, Average percentage of fusion mass was 42.61%. VAS was improved significantly, 7.67±1.13 / 3.39±1.38 / 2.5±1.34 and ODI was improved significantly, 74.9±8.03/ 34.56±8.80 / 27.76±8.64 by each preoperative / postoperative / final follow-up. In the clinical result, excellent was 5 cases and good was 13 cases. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, endoscopic TLIF was feasible procedure with an advantage of better visualization and preservation of endplate, minimal blood loss and minimal post-operative pain with early mobilization. In addition, the fusion volume as measured on post-operative CT scans, occupied 40% to 50% of disc space along with the use of 3D printed cages expected to give higher fusion rates. In conclusion, our preliminary results show that endoscopic TLIF is considered to be a viable surgical procedure with further long-term follow-up warranted.

Feasibility of Endoscopic Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion through the Posterior Paraspinal Approach: Technical Note and Preliminary Result

Background: The implement of endoscopic spinal surgery into degenerative spinal disease has minimized the requirement of fusion procedures. However, it is still necessary to develop endoscopic spine surgery in certain patients requiring fusion such as instability. We performed a full-endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion(eTLIF) through a conventional paraspinal approach. The feasibility of procedure and early outcome were evaluated.Materials and Methods: eighteen consecutive patients with degenerative lumbar disease underwent eTLIF through a conventional paraspinal approach. Their clinical outcomes were evaluated with visual analog scale(VAS) leg pain score, Oswestry Disability Index(ODI) and the MacNab's criteria; radiological outcome measured with segmental lordosis, global lumbar lordosis, disc height on plain radiograph and percentage of potential fusion mass on CT scan at pre-operative, post-operative and final follow up period. intra operative and post-operative complications noted.Results: Mean age was 63. 71 years and Mean follow-up periods was 7.78 months. According to the level, L2-3 (1 case), L3-4 (4 cases), L4-5 (13 cases) and L5-S1 (2 cases). In the X-ray result, mean segmental lordosis angle(SLA) improved in pre-operative/post-operative/follow-up period 9.87±2.74 degree/ 11.79±3.74 degree/ 10.56±3.69 degree (p > 0.01); mean lumbar lordosis angle(LLA) improved 37.1±7.04 degree/ 39.2±7.13 degree/ 35.7±7.25 degree(p > 0.01). Mean preoperative disc height(DH) improved from 8.97±1.49 mm/ 12.34±1.39 mm/ 11.44±1.98 mm (p < 0.01). In the CT result, Average percentage of fusion mass was 42.61%. VAS was improved significantly, 7.67 / 3.39 / 2.5 and ODI was improved significantly, 74.9 / 34.56 / 27.76 by each preoperative / postoperative / final follow-up. In the clinical result, excellent was 5 cases and good was 13 cases. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, eTLIF was competent enough to perform as open TLIF. and good results were obtained in the form of endplate preservation, disc height restoration, minimal blood loss and post-operative pain with early mobilization. In addition, the fusion volume including the cage and the bone graft material occupies 40% to 50% of disc space is expected to give sufficient fusion by using 3D printed cages which gives the high fusion rate. In conclusion, eTLIF is considered to be a viable surgical procedure.

Comparison of the clinical efficacy of the Wiltse paraspinal approach and O-arm navigation for the treatment of thoracolumbar fractures

Background: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of the Wiltse paraspinal approach and percutaneous pedicle screw placement under O-arm navigation for the treatment of thoracolumbar fracture.Methods: We enrolled a total of 54 patients with neurologically intact thoracolumbar fracture who received minimally invasive treatment. Among these, 28 patients were treated with pedicle screw fixation through the Wiltse paraspinal approach (WPSF), and another 26 were received percutaneous pedicle screw fixation under O-arm navigation (OPSF). Statistical methods were used to perform a detailed comparison of clinical outcomes, radiologic findings and complications between the two groups obtained preoperatively, postoperatively and at last follow-up.Results: There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of the intraoperative bleeding, length of incision, postoperative hospitalization durations or accuracy rate of pedicle screw placement (p>0.05). Visual analog scale (VAS) scores, Oswestry disability in­dex (ODI) scores, local Cobb angle (LCA), vertebral wedge angle (VWA) and R value were notably improved after surgery, though no clear discrepancy between the groups at each time point (p>0.05). However, the OPSF group had a longer operation time and greater surgical expenditure than the WPSF group (p<0.05).Conclusions: Both WPSF and OPSF were safe and effective for the treatment of thoracolumbar fracture. Although the two groups showed favorable clinical and radiologic outcomes through the final follow-up, we recommended the minimally invasive WPSF given its lower duration of surgery and medical costs. A randomized controlled study of high-quality and with a larger sample size is required to comfirm our findings in the future.