Background: Thoracolumbar spine fractures are common in the young healthy population. The most common causes of these fractures are high-energy traumas, traffic accidents or falls from heights. Fractures can be followed by neurological deficit, which is a direct consequence of the spinal cord and/or root(s) damage. Fractures are treated with surgical or nonsurgical methods. Transpedicular screw fixation is one of the methods of surgical treatment
objective: The aim of the paper was to evaluate the results of the posterior short-segment transpedicular screw fixation in the treatment of unstable traumatic fractures of the thoracolumbar spine.
Patient and methods: This retrospective study included fifty patients with the diagnosis of thoracolumbar traumatic spinal fracture without posttraumatic neurologic deficit in the neurosurgical department of Banha University Hospital. They were operated upon with posterior instrumentation between January 2006 and January 2012.
Results: Fifty (28 males and 22 females) with age ranging between 16 and 66 years (mean 41.8, St.D. 11.3) were operated upon by posterior transpedicular screw fixation. According to the ASIA scoring system all patients were grade E. The mean kyphotic deformities measured preoperatively was 19.2 de¬grees (±5.5 degrees) and at within 12 months follow-up, was 8.0 degrees (±3.6 degrees). The mean mid-sagittal diameter improved from 9.2 mm (±3.1 mm) before surgery to 15.1 mm (±0.8 mm) at the 12 months follow-up visit.
Conclusion: By applying the transpedicular screw fixation of the unstable fractures of the thoracolumbar spine, a stable fracture fixation can be achieved. This kind of fixation prevents secondary spine deformities.
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