Clinical characteristics and treatment of fracture-dislocation of thoracic spine with or without minimal spinal cord injury.

BACKGROUND

It is important to evaluate clinical efficacy and safety of posterior internal fixation using pedicle screw system.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate clinical characteristics of patients diagnosed with fracture-dislocation of the thoracic spine with or without minimal spinal cord.

METHODS

Twenty-eight patients with fracture-dislocation of thoracic spine with or without minimal spinal cord injury were retrospectively analyzed. All patients received posterior reduction and internal fixation using pedicle screw system.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up duration was 11.4 months. Among 28 patients, 24 cases were complicated with bilateral pedicle or laminal fracture. Preoperatively, the percentage of vertebral displacement was (32.1 ± 20.6)%, significantly declined to (7.5 ± 6.0)% (t= 4.575, P= 0.001) and maintained at (7.9 ± 6.3)% at the final follow-up. Preoperative local kyphosis angle was measured as (16.2 ± 11.3)∘, restored to (15.4 ± 5.9)∘ postoperatively and (15.8 ± 5.4)∘ during the final follow-up. No statistical significance was observed at three time points (all P> 0.05). The remaining 25 patients were evaluated with normal and complete neurological function. No severe complications were observed intra- and postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS

Posterior internal fixation using pedicle screw is an efficacious and safe therapy which achieves proper reduction and preserves spinal cord function.