Percutaneous augmented instrumentation of unstable thoracolumbar burst fractures.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Internal fixation of unstable thoracolumbar spine fractures requires correction of the lacking anterior column support. This usually entails insertion of a vertebral body replacement strut through an anterior approach, or a long posterior construct spanning at least two vertebrae above and two vertebrae below the fracture. Posterior short-segment pedicle instrumentation (SSPI)--one vertebra above and below--is suitable for approximately 40% of fractures, but not for all.

Methods

A total of 52 patients with unstable thoracolumbar burst fractures meeting our inclusion criteria were instrumented using a novel approach, combining percutaneous SSPI, pedicle screw augmentation with polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and fractured vertebra kyphoplasty. We retrospectively rev

SUBMITTER: Rahamimov N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3337906 | biostudies-literature | 2012 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature