OBJECTIVETo explore the therapeutic effects of percutaneous vertebroplasty with Genex combined with pedical screw fixation in the treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures.

METHODSFrom February 2007 to October 2009, 38 patients with thoracolumbar burst fractures were treated with percutaneous vertebroplasty with Genex and pedical screw fixation. There were 25 males and 13 females, with a mean age of 42 years old (ranged, 30 to 68 years). The cause of injuries included road accident of 9 cases,crush injury of 7 cases,crash of 21 cases and others of 1 case. The fractures were classified according to Denis classification: 6 cases of type A, 22 cases of type B, 7 cases of type C and 3 cases of type D. Functional assessment of nerves was assessed according to ASIA criteria: 4 cases of type A,7 cases of type B, 10 cases of type C, 6 cases of type D and 11 cases of type E. Therapeutic effects were assessed by imaging and ASIA standard.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up, and the duration ranged from 6 months to 34 months,with a mean period of 16.5 months. The results were observed after 1 week by X-ray inspection that vertebrate column array of all patients were restored to normal, anterior height of centrum restored to (98.50 +/- 2.17)%, posterior height of centrum for (98.87 +/- 1.82)%; and Cobb angle of injured vertebra decreased to average of (1.63 +/- 2.15) degree; the stenosis rate restored to (1.45 +/- 3.47)%. By X-ray inspection, it was observed that the vertebral height kept good at 6 months after operation, and the bone density almostly normal. By CT scanning, it was observed that bone defects of vertebrae disappeared, and restored to normal bony tissue. The nerve function restored 1 to 2 grades 6 months after operation.

CONCLUSIONArtificial bone of Genex applied in vertebral body-plasty has good biocompatibility, strong bone inducibility, no complications, little loss of vertebrae height and Cobb angle, and satisfactory results in the near future.