Effectiveness of the Endplate Reduction Technique Combined With Bone Grafting for the Treatment of Thoracolumbar Fractures by Using Posterior Short-Segment Fixation

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the effect of the endplate reduction (EPR) technique combined with bone grafting for treating thoracolumbar burst fractures using posterior short-segmental fixation. METHODS: Patients with thoracolumbar fractures admitted between January 2018 and October 2021 were retrospectively analyzed, and those meeting the criteria were assigned to the EPR group and the intermediate screws (IS) group. The vertebral wedge angle (VWA), Cobb angle (CA), anterior vertebral body height (AVBH), middle vertebral body height (MVBH), upper endplate line (UEPL), upper intervertebral angle (UIVA), and upper intervertebral disc height (UIDH) indices were examined and compared preoperatively, first day postoperatively, as well as at 12 months postoperatively. RESULTS: The result indicated that the EPR group achieved better MVBH reduction (p<0.001), UEPL reduction (p<0.001), vertebral body fracture healing (p=0.006), as well as implant breakage (p=0.04) than the IS group; VWA (p<0.001), CA (p=0.005), AVBH (p<0.001), MVBH (p<0.001), UEPL (p<0.001), and UIDH (p<0.001) were lost after reduction less than those in the IS group. There was no significant difference in operative time (p=0.315) and intraoperative bleeding (p=0.274) between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: The EPR group achieved better results in repositioning and maintaining MVBH and endplate morphology, with less correction loss after the reduction of the VWA, CA, AVBH, and endplate morphology. The EPR group exhibited a better healing pattern after vertebral fracture and disc degeneration was better relieved.