• Qing-Yi He and Jian-Zhong Xu.
• Department of Orthopedics, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China.
• Chin. J. Traumatol. 2009 Jun 1; 12 (3): 138-41.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the short-term outcomes of short segmental pedicle screw fixation combined with percutaneous vertebroplasty in treatment of nonadjacent thoracolumbar fractures.MethodsTwenty patients who suffered from nonadjacent thoracolumbar fractures were treated by short segmental pedicle screw fixation for burst fracture and by percutaneous vertebroplasty for compression fracture. X-rays, CT and MRI scans were conducted using the same protocol before and after surgery and during follow-up. Pre-and post-operative American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grades, fusion of fracture sites, visual analog scale (VAS) of back pain, and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were accessed.ResultsAll patients were followed up for an average period of 12 months. The sagittal profile of the thoracolumbar spine was restored satisfactorily. No patient had neurologic deterioration after surgery, and 9 patients with incomplete lesions improved postoperatively by at least one ASIA grade. The fusion rate was 100%. The average VAS of back pain was 7.6 preoperatively and 3.2 postoperatively. The average ODI was 72.5 preoperatively and 35.5 postoperatively.ConclusionsShort segmental pedicle screw fixation combined with percutaneous vertebroplasty in treatment of nonadjacent thoracolumbar fractures exhibits such advantages as preserving functional segment units, reliable fixation, good neurologic recovery and early mobilization and, therefore, is suitable for treating nonadjacent thoracolumbar fractures.

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