Internal fixation plus bone grafting for treatment of thoracolumbar fractures via paraspinal intermuscular approach

Objective To test the safety and effectiveness of transpedicular fixation combined with transpedicular bone grafting via less invasive paraspinal intermusclar approach in treatment of thoracolumbar fractures.Methods The study involved 23 cases of thoracolumbar fractures treated with paraspinal multifidus intramusclular mini-incision,transpedicular bone grafting,and short-segment pedicle screw fixation from June 2009 to June 2012.There were 16 males and 7 females at age of 19-55 years (average 38.8years).Time from injury to surgery varied from 6 hours to 7 days (average 3.2 days).Fracture level was T11 in three cases,T12 in seven,L1 in nine,and L2 in four.According to Denis fracture classification,there were altogether 10 compression fractures and 13 burst fractures.McCormack load sharing classification scored average 5.3.Before operation,anterior vertebral body height ratio was average 58.6％(range,45 ％-73％) and kyphosis angle was average 23.7° (range,15°-34°).Results Operation lasted for average 95.5 minutes (range,75-130 minutes) with intraoperative bleeding of average 160.3 ml (range,115-220 ml).Unilateral incision that was averaged 3.5 cm (range 3.2-4.0 cm) in length obtained primary healing.Average follow-up time was 12.6 months (range,7.5-18 months).Average height of the anterior border was corrected to 97.3％ and average kyphosis angle was corrected to 4.6°.There was neither instrumentation failure nor symptom of persistent postoperative back pain.Conclusions Transpedicular fixation with transpedicular bone grafting via paraspinal muscle approach provides effective recovery of vertebral morphology and correction of kyphotic deformity.Furthermore,the technique gains advantages of easy operation,small trauma,less blood loss and rapid recovery. Key words: Spinal fractures;  Thoracic vertebrae;  Lumbar vertebrae;  Fracture fixation