OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical efficacy and the indications of posterolateral fusion and pedicle screw short-segment fixation via injured vertebra for treating old thoracolumbar fracture combined with kyphosis in elderly patients.
METHODS: Between January 2012 and December 2014, 24 patients with old thoracolumbar fracture and kyphosis received posterolateral fusion and pedicle screw short-segment fixation via injured vertebra. Of 24 cases, 8 were male and 16 were female with an average age of 66.3 years (range, 56-79 years). The mean disease course was 17.5 months (range, 5-36 months). There were 13 cases of osteoporosis, 9 cases of osteopenia, and 2 cases of normal bone. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was 6.53±0.95, and Oswestry disability index (ODI) was 52.63%±5.74% preoperatively. The thoracolumbar kyphosis located at Tto L, and the kyphotic Cobb angle was (28.79±5.04)° before operation. 10 2
RESULTS: The operation was completed successfully without related complications. The operative time was 1.2-2.3 hours (mean, 1.6 hours), and intraoperative blood loss was 80-210 mL (mean, 158 mL). No nerve injury occurred. Poor healing of incision was observed in 1 patient with diabetes, and primary healing of incision was obtained in the other patients. Nineteen patients were followed up 6-30 months (mean, 14.4 months), and there were 2 deaths. Pain relief and function recovery were obtained in 19 patients after operation. The VAS score and ODI were significantly decreased to 2.4±0.7 and 32.14%±5.12% at last follow-up (=8.542,=0.000;=9.826,=0.000). The kyphotic Cobb angle was significantly decreased to (21.23±4.30)° at immediate after operation (<0.05) and to (23.68±4.35)° at last follow-up (<0.05), but no significant difference was found between at immediate and last follow-up (>0.05). No loosening or breakage of internal fixation was observed during follow-up. t P t P P P P
CONCLUSIONS: Posterolateral fusion and pedicle screw short-segment fixation via injured vertebra is a safe and effective treatment for elderly patients with old thoracolumbar fracture combined with kyphosis (Cobb angle less than 40°).
