Efficacy of computed tomography-assisted limited decompression in the surgical management of thoracolumbar fractures with neurological deficit

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of CT-assisted limited decompression in managing single segment A3 lumbar burst fracture. METHOD: A retrospective study (January 2015–June, 2019). One hundred six cases with single-level Magerl type A3 lumbar burst fractures treated with short-segment posterior internal fixation and limited decompression. Patients were divided into two groups: CT-assisted group and non-CT-assisted group. Perioperative factors, clinical outcomes, post-operative complications, imaging parameters, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) were evaluated. RESULTS: Kyphosis, loss of anterior and posterior vertebral body heights, operative time, and post-operative complications were not significantly different between the two groups. The visual analog score (VAS) and spinal canal encroachment in the CT-assisted group were lower compared with the non-CT-assisted group (p < 0.05). The Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, the simplified HRQoL scale, and the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Spinal Cord Injury Grade in the CT-assisted group were significantly higher compared with the non-CT-assisted group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: CT-assisted limited decompression in the treatment of single-segment A3 lumbar burst fracture can achieve better fracture reduction and surgical results and improve the long-term recovery of the patients’ neurological function and quality of life.