Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Posttraumatic kyphosis and neurologic compromise secondary to osteoporotic fractures, which needs surgery treatment. However, the choice of approach method is an argument.  
OBJECTIVE: To explore the therapeutic effect of transpedicular decompression and pedicle fixation for the treatment of obsolete thoracolumbar vertebral fractures combined with kyphosis deformity.
METHODS: A total of 23 cases with obsolete thoracolumbar fractures combined with kyphosis admitted at the Department of Spinal Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, University of South China were selected, including 14 males and 9 females, aged 18-60 years, mean aged 36 years; The JOA scores of patients were (11.02±1.24) points prior to operation, with (37.43±3.76)° Cobb angel. All patients were treated by transpedicular decompression and pedicle fixation. The functional recovery of lumbar vertebra, bone healing, as well as the complications was compared before and after operation.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: All patients were followed-up for 6-28 months with an average of 12.5 months. The lumbar vertebra function and kyphosis deformity was notably improved postoperatively. After treatment, the JOA score and Cobb angle was (14.04± 2.12) points and (11.02±3.58)°, which was obviously different than that of preoperative (P < 0.05). The surfaces of cut bone were healed at 6 months after operation, without complications of pseudoarticulation formation or correction loss. The results suggested that transpedicular decompression and pedicle fixation can achieve a satisfactory result in deformity correction and neurological decompression, which can precipitate the functional recovery.