Patient Satisfaction with Implant Removal after Stabilization Using Percutaneous Pedicle Screws for Traumatic Thoracolumbar Fracture

CONTEXT: There are no reports of patient satisfaction with implant removal after stabilization using percutaneous pedicle screws (PPS) for traumatic thoracolumbar fracture (TTF). AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate patient satisfaction with implant removal after stabilization using PPS for TTF. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A retrospective study. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The present study included data from 24 patients who underwent posterior stabilization using PPS for single-level TTF following implant removal. The degree of patient satisfaction was evaluated using a questionnaire. We investigated residuary back pain, using the numerical rating scale (NRS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI), and types of occupation. Patients were divided into groups of those with residuary back pain (Group P) and those without (Group N). We evaluated local kyphosis and disc degeneration after implant removal. We investigated whether residuary back pain or types of occupation affect patient satisfaction. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: All statistical analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS statistics. RESULTS: Patients were “extremely satisfied” in 13 cases (54%), “moderately satisfied” in eight cases (33%), and “neither” in three cases (13%). No patients answered “moderately dissatisfied” or “extremely dissatisfied.” The mean scores on the NRS and ODI in Group P were 1.8 ± 0.9 and 13.2 ± 9.3, respectively. Patient satisfaction, disc degeneration, and local kyphosis were not significantly different between Group P and Group N. Patient satisfaction was not significantly different between the hard and light workgroups. CONCLUSIONS: Patient satisfaction with implant removal was high regardless of whether persistent back pain existed and did not depend on the type of occupation.