The results of short-segment posterior fusion in thoracolumbar burst fractures [Kisa segment posteri?or füzyon yapilan torakolomber patlama kiriklari sonuçlari]

Abstract

Background: While there are many treatment choices for thoracolumbar burst fractures various criteria are used to choose the most appropriate treatment. Patients and Methods: 16 out of 30 neurologically intact patients who were sustained with thoracolumbar burst fractures and underwent short-segment posterior fixation and fusion according to McCormack scores, were investigated between January 1998 and. December 2001 in our department. Results: Nine of 16 patients were female and 7 of them were male. Localisations of burst fractures were as follows: T12 in 3 cases, L1 in 6 cases, L 2 in 2 cases, and L3 in 2 cases, L4 in 2 cases and L5 in one case. 9 fractures were Denis A type, 6 were Denis B type and one was Denis C type. Preoperative mean of McCormack score was 5,2. Post-operative mean local hypnosis angle, SI and ratio of anterior and posterior body height measurements were 2,38°, 6,85° and 0,82 respectively while those were 8,98°, 13,35° and 0,69 respectively before operation. Those were 3,94°, 8,31° and 0,80 in recent radiographic examination. Conclusion: Short-segment posterior instrumentation and fusion was a reliable and efficient choice of treatment for the patients who have 6 or less McCormacks.