OBJECTIVETo evaluate the outcome of posterior trans-pedicle + disc osteotomy in patients with post-traumatic thoracolumbar kyphosis.

METHODSBetween June 2000 and June 2003, 26 adult patients, 16 male and 10 female, average 30.6 years old (21 - 42 y), of post-traumatic thoracolumbar kyphosis were corrected by means of single posterior trans-pedicle + disc osteotomy technique. Operation time, blood loss, and surgical complication were counted. Back pain Visual Analog Scale (VAS) Oswestry score and Frankel neurological grade were used to for clinical evaluation. All the radiographic and clinical data were requested at 3 time points (before operation, directly postoperatively, and at final follow-up).

RESULTSNo severe complications were found in this group. Local kyphosis (T(10)-L(2) Cobb angle) was corrected from average 22.3 degrees +/- 3.5 degrees to 2.2 degrees +/- 2.1 degrees (corrective rate 90.1%). Intraoperative average blood loss was (680.0 +/- 31.5) ml and average operational time was (186.0 +/- 22.8) min. All the patients finished at least 3 - 5 years follow-up, Neural improvement achieved in this group (before operation Frankel D 12 cases, Frankel C 6 cases and Frankel B2 cases; 3 years postoperation Frankel E 14 cases, Frankel D 2 cases Frankel C1 case and Frankel B 1 case), postoperative back pain was reduced from preoperative 8.6 +/- 1.3 to 2.2 +/- 0.5 in VAS and Oswestry score improved from (62.5 +/- 8.6)% to (16.2 +/- 4.3)% at last follow up.

CONCLUSIONSingle posterior trans-pedicle + disc osteotomy technique is suitable to thoracolumbar post-traumatic kyphosis.