Inclusion of the fractured level into the construct of short segment fixation in patients with thoracolumbar fractures: clinical and radiological outcome

Background Thoracolumbar fractures represent a widespread injuries that can cause significant disability and strain the healthcare system. Different surgical approaches are described in the literature. This study was conducted to evaluate the fractured level inclusion in short-segment fixation of thoracolumbar junction spine fractures. Results Preoperative neurological deficit was reported in seven patients ranging from ASIA grade C to D. All of these patients improved to grade E by the end of the follow-up period, except for one patient who improved from grade C to D. The mean Oswestry Disability Index was 19.87%. The mean postoperative Cobb angle was 11.77° which significantly improved compared to a preoperative value of 19.37°. There was a significant improvement in the postoperative anterior and posterior vertebral body height compared to the preoperative values. The vertebral body compression ratio significantly improved during the postoperative period to a mean of 84% compared to 76% preoperative. Conclusions There was significant improvement of the postoperative values of the mean Cobb angle, the anterior and the posterior vertebral body height as well as the vertebral body compression ratio compared to the preoperative values.

Screw Cutting Vertebrae After Short-Segment Fixation of Pedicle Screw Combined with Kyphoplasty for Kummell Disease ： A Case Report and Literature Review

Introduction: Kummell disease is also known as vertebral fracture nonunion, delayed vertebral collapse and vertebral ischemic necrosis. It often occurs in a delayed manner after spinal injury, and is a complex and rare spinal disease. This study, aimed to report a case of stage 3 Kummell disease, diagnosed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the lumbar spine.Methods: The subject underwent a short-segment fixation of the pedicle screw combined with kyphoplasty.Results: The patient was satisfied with the relief of back pain after the surgery, but the surgery was found to cause screw cutting vertebrae in the second lumbar vertebra (L2).Conclusion: Short-segment fixation of the pedicle screw combined with kyphoplasty can reconstruct spinal stability, maintain stability of bone cement mass in vertebrae, correct kyphosis deformity, and relieve pain. However, Kummell disease in elderly patients is always accompanied by severe osteoporosis. The common fixation of the pedicle screw is prone to cause screw cutting, loosening, and pulling out. Therefore, we advocate using cement-augmented pedicle screws.

Role of Including the Index level in Short Segment Pedicular Fixation in Traumatic Thoraco-Lumbar Fractures

Background It is generally acknowledged that short-segment pedicle screw instrumentation is the preferred surgical method for thoracolumbar fractures. However, the use of short-segment instrumentation with or without intermediate screws at the fracture level remains controversial. This review will evaluate the evidence available to date regarding the efficacy of including the fracture level in trans-pedicular screw short segment fixation, to assess clinical and radiological outcome. Objectives Our primary objective is evaluating the efficacy and outcome of including the fractured level vertebra in short segment fixation. And concerns regarding the use of pedicle screws into the fractured vertebra as to whether it is safe to insert a screw through a broken bone. Our secondary objective analyzing the importance of posterior pedicle screw fixation in unstable thoracolumbar fractures. Methods The following electronic databases will be searched from 1992 to 2018: PubMed, Google scholar search engine. Cochrane database of systematic reviews, EMBASE and science Direct, using the keywords “TLICS”, "index screw", “short segment fixation”, "Thoracolumbar spine trauma", "traumatic spine injury", "spinal cord injury", "spine trauma", "role", “reliability”.Studies will be eligible if they contain the target keywords in title or abstract, addressing our age group. Afterwards the full text of the articles will be reviewed to exclude full texts not fulfilling the criteria or deviating from the initial impression taken from the title/abstract reviewing. References/bibliography of the selected articles will be examined to evaluate potential for further research and possible inclusion in the analysis. Any differences will be sorted by discussion between study team (student, director, and co-directors). Results A total of 3010 studies were screened for eligibility , 8 studies were included in our systematic review for comparing the short segment fixation “including” the fracture level with “conventional” methods whether short or long segment fixation. Overall study population reached 512 patients. Analysis showed comparable results regarding clinical picture and radiography, showing highly statistically significant difference in favor of “including” index level in fixation in post operative kyphosis angle correction, loss of correction of kyphosis angle through follow up until 2 years and loss of correction of AVH, also statistically significant difference in rate of implant failure in favor for “including” group, and with no significant difference in operative time , blood loss and VAS for post-operative pain. Conclusion We conclude that Short segment fixation including the fracture level is a promising surgical option when it comes to thoraco-lumbar unstable fractures. In conclusion, inclusion of the fracture level into the construct offers a better kyphosis correction, in addition to fewer instrument failures, without additional complications, and with a comparable-if not better-clinical outcome, the radiologic correction achieved is maintained even at the end of 2 years and reflected in good functional outcomes. We recommend insertion of screws into pedicles of the fractured thoracolumbar vertebra when considering a short segment posterior fixation, especially in Magerl type C fractures. Large population prospective randomized controlled studies and clinical trials are recommended for more high level evidence data.

Long-segment Fixation VS Short-segment Fixation Combined With Kyphoplasty for Osteoporotic Thoracolumbar Burst Fracture

BackgroundTo compare clinical and radiological results of long-segment fixation (LF) and six-screw short-segment fixation combined with kyphoplasty (SSFK) for osteoporotic thoracolumbar burst fracture (OTBF). Methods Forty patients affected by OTBF with mean age of 61.85 were included in this study. The mean follow-up period was 13.63 months. Twenty-four patients were treated by SSFK, and 16 patients were treated by LF. Clinical outcomes, radiological parameters and complications were assessed and compared. ResultsThe mean operative time and blood loss were 89.71±7.62min and 143.75±42.51ml for SFK group, respectively; 111.69±12.25min (P<0.01) and 259.38±49.05 ml (P<0.01) for LF group, respectively. The two groups were similar in terms of preoperative radiological and clinical results. Compared with preoperative values, both groups achieved significant improvement in terms of VAS, ODI, Cobb angle and anterior vertebral body height (AVH) ratio at final follow-up. However, during the follow-up period, the loss of Cobb angle and AVH ratio were significant different between immediately postoperative and final follow-up evaluations for both groups. Five cases (20.83%) of asymptomatic cement leakage were observed in SSFK group. One case of implant failure and two cases of adjacent or non-adjacent vertebral fractures were observed in LF group. ConclusionsFor the treatment of OTBF, SSFK shows similar clinical and radiological results as LF. Comparatively, SSFK is less invasive and can preserve more motion segments, which is a more valuable surgical option in selected elderly patients.

Comparative study of long segment versus short segment posterior fixation of thoracolumbar fractures with pedicle screws

Choice of long or short segment fixation for thoracolumbar fractures, benefits of either of these techniques has been a topic for analysis and assessment. Kyphotic angles in twenty patients diagnosed to have thoracolumbar vertebral fractures between December 2019 to December 2020 in Bapuji hospital and Chigateri general hospital, Davanagere, Karnataka, India were measured pre operatively, post operatively and at one year follow up and assessed. No statistical difference between the degrees of correction of initial kyphotic angle between long segment fixation and short segment posterior fixation in our study was found (p<0.6). Method of fixation of the thoracolumbar vertebral fracture did not correlate with initial degree of kyphosis (p=0.4). Amount of correction loss at one year follow up was found to be statistically significant in short segment fixation (p<0.05). Loss of kyphotic angle at one year follow up was higher in case of short segment fixation than long segment fixation and found to be statistically significant (p<0.005). Our study showed that long segment fixation helps in better correction of the kyphosis angle with lesser chance of loss of correction and can be opted when pedicles aren’t intact at the fracture level, as in cases of burst fractures. Short segment fixation provides better rigid fixation at the site of fracture with increased range of motion at the thoracolumbar segment and can be treatment of choice when the pedicles at the fractured level are intact, as in cases of compression fractures, having benefits of shorter duration of surgery and reduced risks.

Biomechanical finite element analysis of vertebral column resection and posterior unilateral vertebral resection and reconstruction osteotomy

Background Regarding the repair of vertebral compression fractures, there is a lack of adequate biomechanical verification as to whether only half of the vertebral body and the upper and lower intervertebral discs affect spinal biomechanics; there also remains debate as to the appropriate length of fixation. Methods A model of old vertebral compression fractures with kyphosis was established based on CT data. Vertebral column resection (VCR) and posterior unilateral vertebral resection and reconstruction (PUVCR) were performed at T12; long- and short-segment fixation methods were applied, and we analyzed biomechanical changes after surgery. Results Range of motion (ROM) decreased in all fixed models, with lumbar VCR decreasing the most and short posterior unilateral vertebral resection and reconstruction (SPUVCR) decreasing the least; in the long posterior unilateral vertebral resection and reconstruction (LPUVCR) model, the internal fixation system produced the maximum VMS stress of 213.25 mPa in a lateral bending motion and minimum stress of 40.22 mPa in a lateral bending motion in the SVCR. Conclusion There was little difference in thoracolumbar ROM between PUVCR and VCR models, while thoracolumbar ROM was smaller in long-segment fixation than in short-segment fixation. In all models, the VMS was most significant at the screw-rod junction and greatest at the ribcage–vertebral body interface, partly explaining the high probability of internal fixation failure and prosthesis migration in these two positions.

Treatment of Old Vertebral Compression Fracture With Kyphosis by Different Reconstruction Methods: a Finite Element Analysis

Background: In repair of vertebral compression fractures, there is a lack of effective biomechanical verification as to whether only half of the vertebral body and the upper and lower intervertebral discs has any effect on spinal biomechanics; there also remains debate as to the appropriate length of fixation.Methods: A model of old vertebral compression fractures with kyphosis was established based on CT data. Vertebral column resection (VCR) and posterior unilateral vertebral resection and reconstruction (PUVCR) were performed at T12; long- and short-segment fixation methods were applied, and we analyzed biomechanical changes after surgery.Results: Range of motion (ROM) decreased in all fixed models, with lumbar VCR decreasing the most and short posterior unilateral vertebral resection and reconstruction (SPUVCR) decreasing the least; in the long posterior unilateral vertebral resection and reconstruction (LPUVCR) model, the internal fixation system produced the maximum VMS stress of 213.25 MPa in a lateral bending motion, and a minimum stress of 40.22 MPa in a lateral bending motion in the SVCR.Conclusion: There was little difference in thoracolumbar ROM between PUVCR and VCR models, while thoracolumbar ROM was smaller in long-segment fixation than in short-segment fixation. In all models, the VMS was greatest at the screw-rod junction and greatest at the ribcage–vertebral body interface, which partly explains the high probability of internal fixation failure and prosthesis migration in these two positions.

LLIF IN THE CORRECTION OF DEGENERATIVE SCOLIOSIS IN ELDERLY PATIENTS

ABSTRACT Objective The incidence of adult degenerative scoliosis (ADS) among individuals over 50 years old can be as high as 68%. Surgical interventions aimed at correcting the spinal deformity in elderly patients are accompanied by a high risk of complications. The use of lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) is associated with lower rates of complications when compared with open anterior or posterior fusions. Methods Ninety-three patients with ADS (23 men, 70 women) were operated at the Federal Neurosurgical Center. The average age was 63 (52 to 73 years). Results Back pain, measured according to the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), decreased from 5.9/6 (4;8) (format – mean/median (1;3 quartile)) to 2.6/3 (1;3) points (p <0.0001). Leg pain according to the VAS decreased from 4.6/4 (3;7) to 1.4/1 (0;2) points (p < 0.0001). Functional adaptation according to the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) improved from 47.8±17.4 to 38.5±14.5 (p < 0.0273). Pelvic tilt (PT) before the surgery was 23.9±12.2° whereas at 12 months follow-up it was 16.8±5.9° (p < 0.0001). PI-LL mismatch pre surgery was 12.1/13 (9;16)° whereas 12 months later it was 7.9/8 (6;10)° (p = 0.0002). Conclusions Restoration of local sagittal balance in ADS patients by short-segment fixation using LLIF technology leads to a statistically significant improvement in quality of life and increased functional adaptation. A lower incidence of early and late postoperative complications, less intraoperative blood loss and shorter hospital stay makes LLIF, in combination with minimally invasive transpedicular fixation, the method of choice to correct ADS in elderly patients. Level of evidence IV; Case series.