Abstract

NICOLINO, Tomás I et al. Evaluación clínica y radiológica de la instrumentación y artrodesis corta por vía posterior en fracturas toracolumbares. Rev. Asoc. Argent. Ortop. Traumatol. [online]. 2015, vol.80, n.1, pp.20-29. ISSN 1852-7434.

Background: Surgical treatment of thoracolumbar fractures is controversial. The approach and number of levels of instrumentation are debated. The aim of this study is to assess the clinical and radiological outcomes of burst fractures. Methods: Retrospective study. Consecutive series of patients treated with short instrumentation and posterior fusion between 2004 and 2008, with a minimum follow-up of 12 months. Type A3 and B fractures of AO classification were included. Clinical, neurological and radiological outcomes were analyzed. Results: Twenty-five patients were included and 22 completed the follow-up. The average of age was 37 years. The most common cause was fall from high, followed by road accident and the most affected region was L1. The average of kyphosis was 14° before surgery and 4° in the remote follow-up. Clinical evaluation was excellent in 10 patients, good in 10 and regular in 2. Twenty-one patients had no neurological compromise. Conclusions: Short instrumentation and posterior arthrodesis offer very good clinical and functional result in most patients. Patient selection must be strict, excluding those with severe kyphosis, significant comminution or other factor that would suggest the need for an anterior approach. Long-term follow-up did not show significant loose of kyphosis.

Keywords : Burst fracture; Short instrumentation; Posterior arthrodesis.

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