Comparison Between Posterior Short-segment Instrumentation Combined With Lateral-approach Interbody Fusion and Traditional Wide-open Anterior-Posterior Surgery for the Treatment of Thoracolumbar Fractures

The aim of the study was to compare the radiographic and clinical outcomes between posterior short-segment pedicle instrumentation combined with lateral-approach interbody fusion and traditional anterior-posterior (AP) surgery for the treatment of thoracolumbar fractures. Lateral-approach interbody fusion has achieved satisfactory results for thoracic and lumbar degenerative disease. However, few studies have focused on the use of this technique for the treatment of thoracolumbar fractures. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were established. All patients who meet the above criteria were prospectively treated by posterior short-segment instrumentation and secondary-staged minimally invasive lateral-approach interbody fusion, and classified as group A. A historical group of patients who were treated by traditional wide-open AP approach was used as a control group and classified as group B. The radiological and clinical outcomes were compared between the 2 groups. There were 12 patients in group A and 18 patients in group B. The mean operative time and intraoperative blood loss of anterior reconstruction were significantly higher in group B than those in group A (127.1 ± 21.7 vs 197.5 ± 47.7 min, P < 0.01; 185.8 ± 62.3 vs 495 ± 347.4 mL, P < 0.01). Two of the 12 (16.7%) patients in group A experienced 2 surgical complications: 1 (8.3%) major and 1 (8.3%) minor. Six of the 18 (33%) patients in group B experienced 9 surgical complications: 3 (16.7%) major and 6 (33.3%) minor. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups regarding loss of correction (4.3 ± 2.1 vs 4.2 ± 2.4, P = 0.89) and neurological function at final follow-up (P = 0.77). In both groups, no case of instrumentation failure, pseudarthrosis, or nonunion was noted. Compared with the wide-open AP surgery, posterior short-segment pedicle instrumentation, combined with minimally invasive lateral-approach interbody fusion, can achieve similar clinical results with significant less operative time, blood loss, and surgical complication. This procedure seems to be a reasonable treatment option for selective patients with thoracolumbar fractures.