Open vs. Percutaneous Pedicle Screw Insertion for Thoracolumbar Traumatic A3 and A4 AO Fractures - 18-Months Follow-Up

Abstract

Purpose To compare the efficacy and safety of the percutaneous screw fixation (PSF) and the open pedicle screw fixation (OPSF) on thoracolumbar (TL) fracture.

Methods Sixty-four adult patients with TL vertebral fractures who underwent open or percutaneous posterior short-segment transpedicular screw fixation between January of 2013 and September of 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. All patients underwent clinical, radiological and quality of life follow-up for at least 18 months.

Results There was no significant difference in age, gender, time between injury and surgery, and preoperative percentage of anterior column height, preoperative sagittal regional Cobb angle, or kyphotic angle of fractured vertebra between these two groups (p > 0.05). There was significantly less intraoperative blood loss in the PSF (87.6 ± 24.6 mL) than in the OPSF group (271.4 ± 142.6 mL) (p < 0.05). The mean surgery time was 62 minutes (range 42–130 minutes) for open and 58 minutes (range 35 to 128 minutes) for percutaneous screw fixation. The surgery time was shorter in the PSF group, but with no statistical significance (p > 0.05). The mean Oswestry disability index (ODI) scores after 18-months were 23.12 ± 8.2 for the PSF and 24.12 ± 9.2 for the OPSF group, without any statistical significance (p > 0.05).

Conclusion Both open and percutaneous screw fixations are safe and effective. The percutaneous techniques significantly reduced the intraoperative blood loss compared with the open techniques.

Resumo

Objetivo Comparar a eficácia e segurança das técnicas de fixação convencional e percutânea para fraturas toracolombares.

Métodos Sessenta e quatro pacientes adultos com fraturas da transição toracolombar que foram submetidos a fixação pedicular curta por técnicas aberta convencional e percutânea entre janeiro de 2013 e setembro de 2015 foram retrospectivamente avaliados. Todos foram submetidos a avaliação clínica, radiológica e de qualidade de vida com no mínimo 18 meses do seguimento.

Resultados Não houve diferença significativa na idade, sexo, tempo entre o trauma e o tratamento, porcentagem da redução da altura do corpo vertebral pré-operatório, angulo de Cob sagital na região da fratura, ou ângulo de de cifose da vértebra fraturada entre os dois grupos (p > 0,05). Houve uma menor perda sanguínea no grupo percutâneo (87,6 ± 24,6 mL) em comparação com a técnica convencional (271,4 ± 142,6 mL) (p < 0,05). O tempo médio da cirurgia foi 62 minutos (42 - 130 minutos) para a técnica convencional e 58 minutos (35 - 128 minutos) para a percutânea. Apesar de mais curto na técnica percutânea, não houve diferença estatisticamente significante no tempo cirúrgico entre os dois grupos (p > 0,05). Em relação ao índice de incapacidade de Oswestry após 18 meses do tratamento cirúrgico, também não houve diferença significante do ponto de vista estatístico entre os dois grupos, sendo 23,12 ± 8,2 para a técnica percutânea e 24,12 ± 9,2 para o grupo da técnica convencional (p > 0,05).

Conclusão Ambas as técnicas mostraram-se eficazes e seguras para o tratamento de fraturas da transição toracolombar. A técnica percutânea apresentou uma taxa de perda sanguínea significativamente menor em comparação à técnica aberta convencional.

Keywords

thoraco-lumbar fracture - percutaneous screw fixation - screw insertion - minimally invasive spine surgery

Palavras-chave

fraturas toracolombares - fixação percutânea de parafusos - inserção de parafusos - cirurgia da coluna minimamente invasiva

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