Shortening spinal column reconstruction through posterior only approach for the treatment of unstable osteoporotic burst lumber fracture: a case report

STUDY DESIGN: Case report. CLINICAL QUESTION: This study reports if shortening reconstruction procedure through posterior approach only can be used in osteoporotic unstable fracture as well as post-traumatic burst fracture. METHODS: An 80-year-old female patient with unstable burst osteoporotic fracture of L1 underwent posterior approach corpectomy and shortening reconstruction of the spinal column by non-expandable cages. RESULT: The surgery was uneventful, with average blood loss. Using of small profile cages has helped us to avoid root injury. Augmentation of the screw with cement and the compressive force applied to the spine column aids in obtaining a rigid construct with good alignment without any neurological complication. CONCLUSION: Shortening reconstruction procedure through only posterior approach is a viable option in treating unstable osteoporotic fracture as well as post-traumatic fractures. Using non-expandable cage is advocated to avoid cage subsidence.