ObjectiveTo compare the clinical results of throacolumbar fractures treated through Wiltse paraspinal approach and conventional posterior approach. MethodsSeventy-six cases of single segmental thoracolumbar fractures (Type A) were treated by posterior reduction and pedicle screw instrumentation from January 2011 to January 2013. Thirty-five cases were treated through Wiltse paraspinal approach (group A), including 27 males and 8 females with an average age of 39.7 years. Forty-one cases were treated through conventional posterior approach (group B), including 30 males and 11 females with an average age of 41.6 years. The data including incision length, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative volume of drainage, the anterior vertebral height, Cobb angle and complications were compared between the two groups. ResultsAll operations were finished successfully. The incision length, operation time, intraoperative blood loss and postoperative volume of drainage were (8.3±1.9) cm, (74.0±21.9) min, (125.0 ±46.7) mL, and (51.0±42.6) mL respectively in group A, and (10.7±2.8) cm, (97.0±18.2) min, (245.0±56.1) mL, and (190.0±72.3) mL in group B respectively. There was significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). The restoration of anterior vertebral height and the correction of Cobb angle were well maintained in both groups. The difference was statistically significant before and after treatment (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). There was no difference in the complication rate between the two groups (P>0.05). ConclusionCompared with conventional posterior approach, Wiltse paraspinal approach has the advantage of shorter operation time, less trauma and blood loss. It is a better option for the treatment of throacolumbar fractures.
Objective To explore the short-term therapeutic effect of mini-incision common vertebral pedicle screw internal fixation on thoracoclumbar fractures without neurological injury. Methods The data of 61 patients with thoracolumbar fractures without neurological injury treated with mini-incision common vertebral pedicle screw internal fixation (the mini-incision group, n=32) or percutaneous pedicle screw fixation (the percutaneous group, n=29) from February 2014 to January 2016 was retrospectively collected and analyzed. Total incision length, operation time, blood loss, fluoroscopy times, postoperative bed rest time, hospitalization costs, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), vertebral Cobb angle of correction, and accuracy rate of screw placement were compared between the two groups. Results All the patients were followed up for 6 to 24 months with a mean of 13.4 months. There were no complications such as incision infection and neurovascular injury except for 2 screws breakage in one patient in the percutaneous group. In the mini-incision group, the average total incision length was longer than that in the percutaneous group [(7.33±0.53) vs. (6.38±0.44) cm], while the average operation time was shorter than that in the percutaneous group [(62.66±4.75) vs. (72.93±5.09) minutes]; the differences were statistically significant (P<0.001). In the mini-incision group, the average frequency of fluoroscopy was fewer [(5.63±0.61)vs. (19.07±1.60) times] and the average hospitalization costs was lower [(23.3±1.5) thousand yuan vs. (39.5±1.6) thousand yuan] than those in the than that in the percutaneous group; the differences were statistically significant (P<0.001). No significant difference was found in blood loss, postoperative bed rest time, VAS score, ODI, vertebral Cobb angle of correction, and accuracy rate of screw placement between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusions Mini-incision common vertebral pedicle screw internal fixation for thoracoclumbar fractures without neurological injury has the advantages of short operation time, less fluoroscopy times, low hospitalization costs and high fixation strength. It may obtain a good short-term effectiveness.