Early loss of angular kyphosis correction in patients with thoracolumbar vertebral burst (A3-A4) fractures who underwent percutaneous pedicle screws fixation

J Orthop. 2021 Feb 21:24:77-81. doi: 10.1016/j.jor.2021.02.029. eCollection 2021 Mar-Apr.

Abstract

Purpose: Percutaneous trans-pedicle screws represent a surgical option frequently performed in patients affected by thoracolumbar vertebral burst fractures (A3-A4). The aim of the study was to evaluate the early loss of kyphosis correction and its clinical correlations in a cohort of patients affected by burst spinal fracture treated with percutaneous trans-pedicle screws fixation.

Methods: The present investigation consists in a retrospective one center analysis. The primary outcome was the evaluation of the early loss of correction. Secondary outcomes were the bi-segmental kyphosis change, the clinical outcome and the correlation between clinical outcome and the loss of correction.

Results: Among 435 patients 97 were included in the study. A mean 3.3° of early loss of correction was observed between postoperative and 1 month follow-up evaluations. The mean anterior vertebral body height change was 3.8 mm. No statistical differences were found in clinical and functional outcomes between patients with >2° or <2° of kyphosis loss of correction.

Conclusion: No statistical differences were found between 1 e 6 months postoperative kyphosis loss of correction. The amount of loss of correction seems not to influence clinical outcomes after percutaneous trans-pedicle screw fixation in patients with vertebral burst fractures.

Keywords: Loss of correction; Percutaneous pedicle screw fixation; Thoracolumbar fracture; Vertebral height; Vertebral kyphosis.