Comparison of clinical and radiological outcome between mini-open Wiltse approach and fluoroscopic-guided percutaneous pedicle screw placement: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE To compare clinical efficacy, radiographic outcome, and radiation exposure between mini-open pedicle screw (MPS) fixation with the Wiltse approach and percutaneous pedicle screw (PPS) fixation in treatment of young and middle-aged patients with thoracolumbar burst fractures. METHODS Of 60 patients with thoracolumbar vertebrae fractures treated in our hospital from January 2017 to January 2018, 30 were randomly assigned to the MPS group and 30 were randomly assigned to the PPS group. Clinical efficacy, radiographic outcome, and radiation exposure were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS The average age of patients was 42.2 ± 6.7 years in the MPS group and 43.0 ± 6.9 years in the PPS group (P = 0.668). There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in blood loss, hospital stay, postoperative visual analog scale score for back pain, and Oswestry Disability Index score. The vertebral body height and vertebral body angle of the MPS group were significantly better than those of the PPS group at the last follow-up. There was no significant difference in the accuracy rate of pedicle screw placement between the MPS group and the PPS group; the facet joint violation was significantly higher in the PPS group. The average radiation exposure dosage was lower in the MPS group. CONCLUSIONS Both MPS fixation with the Wiltse approach and PPS fixation are safe and effective in the treatment of single-segment thoracolumbar vertebral fractures. Nevertheless, considering the surgical duration, radiation exposure, facet joint violation, vertebral body height, and vertebral body angle at the last follow-up, MPS fixation with the Wiltse approach is a better choice than PPS.