BACKGROUND:The effects of posterior decompression fixation in the repair of thoracolumbar fracture are affirmative. The fixation was divided into short-segment and long-segment pedicle screw fixation according to different treatment methods. The therapeutic effects of above two methods are controversial in the clinic at present. OBJECTIVE:To compare and observe the anterior vertebral compression ratio and the changes in Cobb angle after posterior short-segment and long-segment pedicle screw placement fixation in the repair of thoracolumbar fracture. METHODS:120 patients with thoracolumbar fracture were enrol ed in this study, and assigned to two groups according to fixation methods. Study group received posterior short-segment pedicle screw fixation. Control group received posterior long-segment pedicle screw fixation. Anterior vertebral compression rate and Cobb angle were observed before fixation, immediately and 12 months after fixation in both groups. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:There was no significant difference in anterior vertebral compression rate and Cobb angle between the two groups before fixation (P>0.05). Anterior vertebral compression rate and Cobb angle were significantly smal er in the study group than in the control group immediately and 12 months after fixation (P<0.05). Besides, surgical time and blood loss volume were less in the study group than in the control group (P<0.05). These results indicated that posterior short-segment pedicle screw fixation for treatment of thoracolumbar fracture can effectively improve kyphosis, recover vertebral compression degree, and its surgical time is short and blood loss volume during surgery is little, so it is better than posterior long-segment pedicle screw fixation.