OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical effects of two surgical approaches for the treatment of thoracolumbar fracture without neurological symptoms.

METHODSFrom January 2008 to December 2009, 40 cases with thoracolumbar fractures without neurological symptoms treated by surgery were respectively analyzed. Among the patients, there were 13 males and 27 females, with an average age of 46 years (ranged, 26 to 61 years). Twenty patients in group A treated through posterior median approach; twenty patients in group B were treated through paraspinal muscle approach. All the patients were received the same posterior spinal internal fixation (Sofamor Inc (Basis)). Operating time, blood loss, postoperative drainage, postoperative bed time, VAS score 24 and 72 hours after operation, postoperative Cobb angle correction rate, correction rate of vertebral collapse were analyzed.

RESULTSThere were no significant difference in postoperative Cobb angle correction rate and vertebral collapse rate (P < 0.05); while the index such as operating time, blood loss, postoperative drainage, postoperative bed time and VAS score 24 h and 72 h after operation in group B is better than group A.

CONCLUSIONTreatment of thoracolumbar fracture through posterior median approach has an advantage of minimal invasive, less bleeding and rapidly recovery, but the patients with neural symptoms and intraspinal occupying more than 1/3 is not suggested.