Anterior operation for unstable thoracolumbar and lumbar burst fractures: tricortical autogenous iliac bone versus titanium mesh cage.

STUDY

DESIGN

We retrospectively compared 25 cases that used the autogenous iliac bone grafting with 18 cases that used a titanium mesh cage for reconstruction of the vertebral body.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze clinical and radiographic results of the autogenous iliac bone and a titanium mesh cage used to reconstruct the vertebral body.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Grafting of the autogenous iliac bone as a strut bone has been traditionally applied for reconstruction of the spine using anterior approach. Although grafting the autogenous iliac bone as a strut bone achieves a high bone fusion rate, it has reported complications in the donor site. For this reason, bone fusion with a mesh cage has been introduced.

METHODS

Between March 2000 and December 2010, 43 cases that underwent decompression and instrumented fusion for unstable burst fractures using the anterior approach were enrolled. Levels of injury were T12 in 8 cases, L1 in 19 cases, L2 in 11 cases, and L3 in 5 cases. The mean follow-up period was 64.5 months (range, 14-129 mo).

RESULTS

The local kyphotic angle in the group that used the tricortical autogenous iliac bone (group A) was measured 24.81±2.27 degrees preoperatively and 4.95±0.61 degrees at the last follow-up. The angle in the group that used a titanium mesh cage (group B) was 25.21±1.55 degrees preoperatively and 3.9±0.43 degrees at the last follow-up. Both groups obtained bone fusion of grade I and II by Bridwell fusion criteria. The operation site visual analog scale and Korean Oswestry disability index did not differ significantly between 2 groups. Donor site visual analog scale and the operation time was significantly in favor of group B (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Titanium mesh cage filled with the autogenous cancellous bone shortened operation time and reduced the risk of complications in the donor site compared with the group that used the tricortical iliac bone.