ObjectiveTo study the effectiveness of posterior laminotomy decompression and bone grafting via the injured vertebrae for treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures. MethodsBetween November 2010 and November 2012, 58 patients with thoracolumbar burst fractures were treated by posterior fixation combined with posterior laminotomy decompression and intervertebral bone graft in the injured vertebrae. There were 40 males and 18 females with a mean age of 48 years (range, 25-58 years). According to Denis classification, 58 cases had burst fractures (Denis type B); based on neurological classification of spinal cord injury by American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) classifications, 5 cases were rated as grade A, 18 cases as grade B, 20 cases as grade C, 14 cases as grade D, and 1 case as grade E. Based on thoracolumbar burst fractures CT classifications there were 5 cases of type A, 20 cases of type B1, 10 cases of type B2, and 23 cases of type C. The time between injury and operation was 10 hours to 9 days (mean, 7.2 days). The CT was taken to measure the space occupying of vertebral canal. The X-ray film was taken to measure the relative height of fractured vertebrae for evaluating the vertebral height restoration, Cobb angle for evaluating the correction of kyphosis, and ASIA classification was conducted to evaluate the function recovery of the spinal cord. ResultsThe operations were performed successfully, and incisions healed primarily. All the patients were followed up 12-18 months (mean, 15 months). CT showed good bone graft healing except partial absorption of vertebral body grafted bone; no loosening or breakage of screws and rods occurred. The stenosis rates of fractured vertebral canale were 47.56%±14.61% at preoperation and 1.26%±0.62% at 1 year after operation, showing significant difference (t=24.46, P=0.00). The Cobb angles were (16.98±3.67)° at preoperation, (3.42±1.45)° at 1 week after operation, (3.82±1.60)° at 1 year after operation, and (4.84±1.70)° at 3 months after removal of internal fixation, showing significant differences between at pre-and post-operation (P < 0.05). The relative heights of fractured vertebrae were 57.10%±6.52% at preoperation, 96.26%±1.94% at 1 week after operation, 96.11%±1.97% at 1 year after operation, and 96.03%±1.96% at 3 months after removal of internal fixation, showing significant differences between at pre-and post-operation (P < 0.05). At 1 year after operation, the neural function was improved 1-3 grades in 56 cases. Based on ASIA classifications, 1 case was rated as grade A, 4 cases as grade B, 10 cases as grade C, 23 cases as grade D, and 20 cases as grade E. ConclusionTreatment of thoracic and lumbar vertebrae burst fractures by posterior laminotomy decompression and bone grafting via the injured vertebrae has satisfactory effectiveness, which can reconstruct vertebral body shape and height with spinal cord decompression and good vertebral healing. It is a kind of effective solution for thoracolumbar burst fracture.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of one-stage posterior retaining part facet joint in laminectomy, bone graft and debridement combined with short segmental pedicle screw fixation for lumbosacral spinal tuberculosis. MethodsBetween January 2010 and December 2014, 32 cases of lumbosacral spinal tuberculosis (L4-S1) were treated by one-stage posterior retaining part facet joint in laminectomy, bone graft and debridement combined with short segmental pedicle screw fixation. There were 20 males and 12 females, aged 17-62 years (mean, 43 years). The disease duration was 12-48 months (mean, 18 months). The involved segments included L5, S1 level in 19 cases and L4, 5 level in 13 cases. The effectiveness was evaluated by Oswestry disability index (ODI) and imaging parameters (lumbar-sacral angle correction and Bridwell classification and CT fusion criteria) after operation. ResultsThe operation was successfully completed in all patients; the average operation time was 180 minutes, and the average intraoperative blood loss was 400 mL. All cases were followed up 12 to 67 months (mean, 15.6 months). At last follow-up, common toxic symptom of tuberculosis disappeared, and no internal fixation failure occurred. Neurological function was recovered to normal in 7 patients with neurological symptoms, and American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) scale was improved to grade E from grade C (2 cases) and grade D (5 cases) before operation. At 1 year and last follow-up, the ODI scores were significantly improved when compared with preoperative score (P < 0.05), but no significant difference was found between at 1 year and last follow-up (P>0.05). The lumbarsacral angle was significantly increased at 7 days, 1 year and last follow-up when compared with preoperative one (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference between different time points after operation (P>0.05). The bone graft fusion time was 9-24 months (mean, 12 months). At 1 year after operation and last follow-up, X-ray Bridwill bone fusion rates were 87.50% (28/32) and 93.75% (30/32) respectively, and CT fusion rates were 87.50% (28/32) and 90.63% (29/32) respectively; and there was significant difference in interbody fusion between at 1 year and last follow-up (P < 0.05). Drug resistance was observed in 4 cases; Bridwill gradeⅢand gradeⅣfusion was shown in 3 cases and 1 case after adjusting the anti-tuberculosis scheme after 1 year. ConclusionOne-stage posterior retaining part facet joint in laminectomy and debridement can effectively clear the tuberculose focus, intervertebral bone graft combined with short segment pedicle screw fixation can maintain postoperative spinal reliable stability and get satisfactory bone fusion rate, so it is an effective method for the treatment of lumbosacral tuberculosis.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the feasibility and the effectiveness of minimally invasive passage in posterior laminotomy decompression and intervertebral bone grafting combined with percutaneous pedicle screw fixation for the treatment of Denis type B thoracolumbar burst fractures. MethodsBetween January 2013 and March 2015, 53 patients with Denis type B thoracolumbar burst fractures were treated by minimally invasive passage in posterior laminotomy decompression and intervertebral bone grafting combined with percutaneous pedicle screw fixation. There were 37 males and 16 females with a mean age of 43 years (range, 16-57 years). The causes included falling injury from height in 23 cases, traffic accident injury in 15 cases, heavy pound injury in 7 cases, and falling injury in 8 cases. The time between injury and operation was 7 hours to 12 days (mean, 6.7 days). The involved segments included T11 in 2 cases, T12 in 7 cases, L1 in 20 cases, L2 in 18 cases, and L3 in 6 cases; based on the neurological classification of spinal cord injury by American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA), 3 cases were rated as grade A, 5 cases as grade B, 12 cases as grade C, 24 cases as grade D, and 9 cases as grade E. The operation time, bleeding volume, and postoperative drainage were recorded; postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) was used for pain evaluation, and ASIA for neurological function assessment; CT and X-ray films were taken to observe fracture healing, bone fusion, and grafted bone absorption; The vertebral canal patency rate was calculated; the relative height of fractured vertebrae and Cobb angle were measured. ResultsThe operation was successfully completed in all patients; the average operation time was 150 minutes (range, 90-240 minutes); the average bleeding volume was 350 mL (range, 50-500 mL); the average postoperative drainage was 80 mL (range, 20-150 mL); and the average VAS score was 2.3 (range, 1.5-4.7) at 3 days after operation. The incisions healed primarily. All the patients were followed up 12-19 months (mean, 15 months). All fractures healed at 3-9 months (mean, 6 months). No complications of broken nails, broken rod, and screw loosening occurred. At last follow-up, the vertebral canal patency rate was significantly improved when compared with preoperative value (t=27.395, P=0.000). The Cobb angle, and the anterior and posterior heights of of traumatic vertebra were significantly improved at 1 week, 1 year, and last follow-up when compared with preoperative ones (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference between different time points after operation (P > 0.05). The neurological function was improved in different degrees; 1 case was rated as grade A, 4 cases as grade B, 7 cases as grade C, 15 cases as grade D, and 26 cases as grade E, showing significant difference when compared with preoperative one (Z=-5.477, P=0.000). ConclusionMinimally invasive passage in posterior laminotomy decompression, bone graft in the injured vertebrae combined with percutaneous pedicle screw fixation is an effective method to treat Denis type B thoracolumbar burst fractures, which not only can fully decompression, but also can effectively maintain the postoperative injured vertebral height, reduce the postoperative failure risk of internal fixation and decrease operation trauma.