Thoracolumbar fractures are common spinal injuries and have complicated pathological mechanism.Different types of thoracolumbar fracture have different treatment principles and methods.At the same time,many clinical treatment methods have their own indications.With the improvement of the concept of spinal surgery,the treatment of thoracolumbar vertebral fracture is also improving,and controversy over the optimal treatment strategy has never ceased,such as the surgical approach,the minimally invasive surgical technology,the selection of surgical methods for post-traumatic thoracolumbar kyphosis and the treatment of special thoracolumbar fracture types.The author summarizes the literatures on thoracolumbar injuries published in this issue so as to provide better references for clinical treatment of thoracolumbar fractures.

Objective To investigate the application of combination of thoracolumbar injury classification severity score and load sharing classification (TLICS + LSC) in deciding the surgery for thoracolumbar fractures.Methods A retrospective case series study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 42 patients with thoracolumbar fractures admitted to Sir RunRun Shaw Hospital affiliated to Medical College of Zhejiang University from January 2013 to November 2015.There were 28 males and 14 females,aged 19-58 years [(39.5 ± 11.5)years].The injured segments included T11 in 2 patients,T12 in 12,L1 in 4,L2 in 24.According to American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) classification,there were two patients with grade A,five patients with grade B,six patients with grade C,and two patients with grade D.The rest of the patients had good neurological function.Surgical methods were selected according to the TLICS + LSC system.Seventeen patients were treated with posterior internal fixation (TLICS ＞ 4 points,LSC ＜ 7 points) (Group A),19 patients were treated with anterior reconstruction and internal fixation (TLICS ≤4 points,LSC ≥ 7 points) (Group B),and six patients were treated with anterior reconstruction and posterior internal fixation (TLICS ＞ 4 points,LSC ≥ 7 points) (Group C).ASIA grading criteria were used to assess the neurological function recovery of the patients.Vertebral height and sagittal Cobb angle changes were measured on full-length,lateral X-ray or CT sagittal reconstruction images.Artificial vertebral body and screw loosening were observed on lateral X-ray or CT sagittal reconstruction images.Visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry dysfunction index (ODI) were used to evaluate pain relief and functional recovery.Results All patients were followed up for 18-24 months [(22.2 ± 2.0) months].base on ASIA grading criteria:one grade A (Group C) was restored to grade C,three grade B (Group B) were restored to grade D,two grade B (Group C) were restored to grade C,six grade C (four in Group A,two in Group B) and two grade D (Group A) were restored to grade E (P ＜ O.05).The correction of sagittal Cobb angle was restored from (26.1 ± 5.6) ° before surgery to (3.7 ± 1.5) ° immediately after surgery and was (4.8 ± 1.0) ° at last follow-up (P ＜ 0.05).There was no loosening of artificial vertebral body or screw in any patient.The VAS score dropped from (6.3 ± 0.9) points before surgery to (2.0 ± O.7) points at the last follow-up,and ODI score was also significantly decreased from (72.6 ± 9.2) points before surgery to (25.2 ± 5.2) points at the last follow-up (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion The combination of TLICS and LSC can clearly guide the surgical decision-making of patients with thoracolumbar fracture.The operation plan can be made according to the results of the combined scoring.After the operation,the local kyphosis angle of the patients recovers significantly,the pain is relieved and the function is improved significantly.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO) plus long-segment pedicle nail bar system in treating kyphosis in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) combined with thoracolumbar fractures.Methods A retrospective case series study was made on the clinical data of 13 patients with kyphosis in AS combined with thoracolumbar fractures admitted to Xiaoshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 2012 to May 2016.There were 11 males and two females,aged 32-64 years [(44.3 ± 10.6) years].Two fractures occurred at T11,five at T12,three at L1,and three at L2.According to the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) classification,the spinal injuries were rated as grade B in one patient,grade C in four,grade D in five and grade E in three.All patients underwent PSO plus long-segment pedicle nail bar system.The operation duration,intraoperative blood loss,fixation segments,and complications were recorded.Thoracolumbar kyphosis angle (TL) and sagittal vertical axis (SVA) were measured to evalute the correction effect.Visual analogue scale (VAS),Oswestry disability index (ODI),ASIA grade were compared before and after operation to assess the efficacy.Results All patients were followed up for 12-18 months [(15.2 ± 1.2) months].The operation time ranged from 120 to 256 minutes [(175.2 ±40.3)minutes].The intraoperative blood loss ranged from 660 to 3 300 ml [(1 011 ±681)ml].Number of fixed seqments was 12-16 (12.2 ±0.8).Anemia occurred in one patient after operation,and the patient recovered after blood transfusion.Incision infection occurred in one patient after operation,which was improved after antibiotic treatment through osmotic culture.Compared with the detection before operation,postoperative TL was improved significantly [(52.6 ± 6.2) ° vs.(17.1 ± 3.1) °],with an average correction rate of 67.5％;final follow-up showed decreased VAS [(7.5 ± 0.7) points vs.(1.9 ± 0.6) points] and decreased ODI [(75.2 ±5.3) points vs.(22.9 ± 4.4) points] (P ＜ 0.05);SVA was improved significantly [(11.5 ± 2.1) cm vs.(3.5 ± 0.9) cm],with an average correction rate of 69.6％ (P ＜ 0.05).ASIA grade was significantly improved at the final follow-up,including grade D in three patients and grade E in ten patients (P ＜0.05).There was no case of epidural hematoma or infection after operation,and no loosening of internal fixator or pseudarthrosis formation occurred during follow-up.Conclusion For kyphosis in AS combined with thoracolumbar fractures,PSO osteotomy plus long segment pedicle nail bar system treatment can significantly reduce lower back pain and promote functional recovery.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of percutaneous posterior short-segment pedicle screw fixation combined with vertebroplasty for stage Ⅲ Kümmell's disease without neurological deficit.Methods A retrospective case series study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 36 patients with stage Ⅲ Kümmell's disease without nerve injury admitted to Xiaoshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 2012 to January 2017.There were 10 males and 26 females,aged 55-75 years,with an average of 67.5 years.The injuried vertebrae were located at T11 in 9 patients,at T12 in 12,at L1 in 10 and at L2 in 5.The course of disease ranged from 6 to 48 months,with an average of 28.5 months.X-ray,CT and MRI were performed before operation.All patients underwent percutaneous posterior short-segment pedicle screw fixation combined with vertebroplasty.The operation time,intraoperative bleeding volume,complications,visual analogue scale (VAS),Oswestry dysfunction index (ODI) and sagittal Cobb angle of the injured vertebrae were recorded before operation,1 week after operation and at the last follow-up.Results All patients were followed up for an average of 32.5 months (range,12-48 months).Operation time ranged from 0.6 to 1.5 hours [(1.1 ± 0.4) hours].The intraoperative blood loss was 50-90 ml [(62.5 ± 17.5)ml].There was no internal fixation failure or fracture of adjacent vertebra.The VAS was improved from preoperative (8.6-± 0.4) points to (2.5 ±0.7) points one week after operation and (2.9 ± 0.7) points at the last follow-up (P ＜ 0.05).The ODI was improved from preoperative 68.2 ± 3.9 to 22.7 ± 4.3 one week after operation and 25.3 ± 4.8 at the last follow-up (P ＜ 0.05).The Cobb angle was improved from preoperative (24.3 ± 9.3) ° to (8.6 ±3.2)° 1 week after operation and (10.5 ±4.1)° at the last follow-up (P＜0.05).Conclusion For stage Ⅲ Kümmell's disease without neurological deficit,percutaneous posterior short-segment pedicle screw fixation combined with vertebroplasty can significantly relieve pain,improve spinal function and maintain spinal stability.

Objective To investigate the sagittal correction effect and clinical efficacy of multisegment Smith-Peterson osteotomy (SPO) and single-segment pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO) in the treatment of old osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF)combined with kyphosis.Methods A retrospective case control study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 24 patients with old OVCF combined with kyphosis admitted to Traditional Chinese Medical Hospital of Xiaoshan from February 2014 to July 2016.There were 10 males and 14 females,aged 58-72 years,with an average of 65.6 years.Thirteen patients were treated with multi-segment SPO (Group A),six of whom underwent two-segment SPO and seven underwent three-segment SPO.Eleven patients were treated with single-segment PSO (Group B).The operation time,intraoperative bleeding volume,the number of cases using cementreinforced nail track,postoperative drainage,hospitalization time and postoperative complications were compared between the two groups.Cobb angle,sagittal vertical axis (SVA),thoracic kyphosis angle (TK) and lumbar lordosis angle (LL) of kyphosis deformity were measured before operation,after operation and at the last follow-up.Oswestry Dysfunction Index (ODI) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were used to evaluate the clinical efficacy at the last follow-up.Results All patients were followed up for 6-24 months,with an average of 15.4 months.The operation time of Group A was (198.1 ± 27.3)minutes,while that of Group B was (237.6 ± 36.1)minutes (P ＜ 0.05).The amount of intraoperative bleeding in Group A was (1 256.2 ± 389.4) ml,while that in Group B was (1 525.6 ±457.1)ml (P ＜ 0.05).Two patients in Group A and five patients in Group B were treated with cement-reinforced nail track (P ＜ 0.05).There was no significant difference in drainage and hospitalization time between the two groups (P ＞ 0.05).Three patients in Group A and one patient in Group B had cerebrospinal fluid leakage (P ＜ 0.05).The postoperative SVA was (1.4 ± 0.7) cm in Group A and (-1.1 ± 0.6) cm in Group B (P ＜ 0.05).No significant differences were found between the two groups in Cobb angle,TK and LL of kyphosis (P ＞ 0.05).There was no significant difference in SVA,Cobb angle,TK and LL between the two groups at the last follow-up (P ＞ 0.05).There was no significant difference in ODI and VAS between the two groups after operation and at the last follow-up (P ＞ 0.05).No complications such as spinal cord injury,embolism caused by cement leakage,extraction or rupture of pedicle screw occurred in either group.Conclusion For old osteoporotic vertebrae compressed fractures combined with kyphosis,multi-segment SPO and single-segment PSO can achieve good sagittal correction and clinical efficacy.Single-segment PSO has better correction effect and lower incidence of cerebrospinal fluid leakage,yet accompanied with disadvantages of overcorrection,screw loosening,longer operation time and more blood loss.

Objective To investigate the efficacy of posterior intervertebral autogenous bone grafting combined with long-segment fixation for type C thoracolumbar fractures.Methods A retrospective case series study was performed in 28 patients with type C thoracolumbar fractures admitted to the 903 Hospital of PLA from January 2013 through January 2016.There were 20 males and eight females,aged 25-55 years,with an average of 36.8 years.All patients had type C fractures according to the new AO classification system.The injury occurred at T11-12segment in 5 patients,T12-L1 segment in 8,L1-2 segment in 9,and L2-3 segment in 6.These patients were scored 7-9 points [(8.0 ± 1.1) points]according to the thoracolumbar injury classification and severity score (TLICS) and 7-10 points [(8.5 ±1.4) points] according to Load sharing score (LSC).There were 20 patients with grade A and eight patients with grade B based on the American Spine Injury Association (ASIA).All patients were treated with posterior intervertebral autogenous bone grafting combined with long-segment fixation.The operation time and volume of blood loss were recorded.Kyphosis Cobb angle,visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were compared between before operation and 1 week,3 months,12 months and 24 months after operation.Bone grafting union was evaluated during the follow-up period by CT scan.ASIA grade was used to evaluate the functional recovery.Results All patients were followed up for average 26 months (range,24-36 months).The operation time was (135.8 ± 30.5) minutes and the intraoperative blood loss was (350.5 ± 50.7) ml,respectively.No serious complications occurred during the operation such as blood vessel or nerve injury aggravation.No serious complications occurred after operation such as incision infection and internal fixation loosening or fracture.Cobb angles of local kyphosis at 1 week,3,12 and 24 months after operation were significantly improved compared with preoperative Cobb angle (P ＜0.01).VAS and ODI were also significantly improved at 1 week,3,12 and 24 months after operation (P ＜0.01).The last follow-up found that all the intervertebral bone grafts were fused.At the last follow-up,ASIA grading results were as follows:grade A in 20 patients,grade B in 3 and grade C in 5.Conclusion Posterior intervertebral autogenous bone grafting combined with long-segment fixation has the advantages of simple operation,short operation time,minimal trauma,good fusion effect,significant relief of the pain and improvement of neurological function,indicating a surgical option for the treatment of type C thoracolumbar fracture.

Objective To investigate the feasibility and short-term efficacy of endplate reduction percutaneous pedicle screw (ERPPS) technique combined with short-segment percutaneous pedicle screw fixation for the treatment of AO type A3 thoracolumbar fractures.Methods A retrospective case control study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 36 patients with type A3 thoracolumbar fractures without neurological symptoms and with comminuted endplates admitted to 903 Hospital of PLA from December 2015 to January 2018.Fifteen patients (Group A) were treated with ERPPS technique combined with short-segment percutaneous pedicle screw fixation,including 11 males and four females,aged (37.9 ±8.3)years.The injured segments were at T11 in 1 patient,T12 in 3,L1 in 6,L2 in 3 and L3 in 2.Simple short-segment percutaneous pedicle screw reduction and internal fixation was performed in 21 patients (Group B),including 14 males and seven females,aged (37.3 ± 9.5)years.The injured segments were at T~ in two patients,T12 in six,L1 in seven,L2 in four and L3 in two patients.The operation time,intraoperative bleeding and complications were recorded.The anterior vertebral body height ratioin (AVBHr),middle vertebral body height ratio (MVBHr),posterior vertebral body height ratio (PVBHr),Cobb angle of kyphosis and wedge angle of injured vertebrae were calculated based on the measurement by X-ray films taken before operation,during operation (after regular reduction),3 days after operation and 6 months after operation.Visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry dysfunction index (ODI) were used to assess the pain and functional improvement.Results All patients were followed up for 11-30 months [(19.1 ± 5.0) months].The operation time was (62.8 ± 4.4)minutes in Group A and (60.1 ± 4.7)minutes in Group B (P ＞ 0.05).The intraoperative blood loss was (48.5 ± 5.1) ml in Group A and (48.0 ± 4.9) ml in Group B (P ＞ 0.05).All the incisions were healed by first intention without complications.The MVBHr of injured vertebra was (84.8 ± 4.4) ％ in Group A and (68.1 ±8.8)％ in Group B (P＜0.05).The MVBHr 6 months after operation was (81.3 ±4.9)％in Group A,significantly better than that in Group B [(63.6 ± 8.1) ％] (P ＜ 0.05).At 6 months after surgery,the kyphosis Cobb angle [(11.3 ± 3.2) °],the wedge angle [(10.5 ± 2.1) °] of the injured vertebra and the VAS [(1.1 ± 0.7) points] of Group A were significantly better than those of Group B [(13.4±2.3)°,(12.1 ±2.2) °and (1.9±1.1)points] (P＜0.05).There were no significant differences in AVBHr,PVBHr and ODI between the two groups (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion For type A3 thoracolumbar fractures with endplate comminuted injury and without neurological symptoms,the ERPPS technique can effectively reduce the collapse of the central part of the upper endplate and improve the clinical results (less reduction loss and back pain) after short-segment percutaneous pedicle screw reduction and internal fixation under the premise of strict indications.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of arthroscopic Brostr(o)m-Gould procedure for chronic lateral ankle instability (CLAI).Methods A retrospective case series study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 36 CLAI patients admitted to Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital,Second Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University,Institute of Orthopedics of Soochow University,and Guangzhou Orthopedic Hospital from August 2016 to July 2017.There were 21 males (21 ankles) and 15 females (15 ankles),aged 18-42 years [(26.5 ± 8.6)years].The duration from injury to operation ranged from 6 to 30 months [(10.8-± 1.6) months].All patients received arthroscopic Brostr(o)m-Gould procedure (anterior talofibular ligament repair,capsular constriction,subextensor ligament reinforcement).The operation time and arthroscopic intra-articular lesions and treatment were recorded,and the wound healing and complications were recorded.The visual analogue score (VAS),front drawer test and varus stress test results,American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery Society (AOFAS) ankle-hind foot score and Karlsson-Peterson ankle function score were compared before operation,6 weeks after operation and at the last follow-up.Results All 36 patients were followed up for 18-29 months [(20.5 ±6.3) months].The operation time ranged from 45 to 115 minutes [(67.2 ± 18.6) minutes].During the operation,synovitis hyperplasia of ankle joint was found in 35 patients,scar tissue around ligament in 32,talus cartilage injury in 10,osteophyte in 19 and free body in 5,all of which were treated accordingly.All incisions were healed in the first stage after operation,without joint infection,superficial sural nerve injury or thread stimulation.The ankle varus was slightly limited in two patients after operation and improved after functional rehabilitation.No revision operation was needed at the last follow-up.Front drawer test and inverted stress test results were negative (-).The VAS score was (5.9 ± 1.6) points before operation,(1.9 ± 1.0) points at 6 weeks after operation,and (1.6 ± 0.3) points at the last follow-up,with significant difference compared with that before operation (P ＜ 0.01).The AOFAS ankle-hind foot score was (67.4 ± 7.4) points before operation,(89.2 ±4 6.8) points at 6 weeks after operation,and (91.7 ±5.3)points at the last follow-up,with significant difference compared with that before operation (P ＜ 0.01).Karlsson-Peterson ankle function score was (65.3 ± 9.6)points before operation,(88.6 ± 5.3) points at 6 weeks after operation,and (90.6 ± 3.8) points at the last follow-up,with significant difference compared with that before operation (P ＜ 0.0 1).Conclusion For CLAI,the arthroscopic Brostr(o)m-Gould procedure can treat the intra-articular lesions and reliably restore the stability of the lateral ankle.At the same time,quick motion recovery can be achieved,with satisfactory shortterm curative effect.

Objective The three-dimensional finite element analysis was done to analyze the mechanical stability of double screw internal fixation for talus neck fracture,the methods with different approaches and different placement methods as well as the optimal biomechanical environment of fracture section were discussed so as to provide reliable mechanical arguments for the selection of clinical internal fixators.Methods The acquired male adult ankle CT data were imported into Mimics for 3D reconstruction of the ankle joint model.After the model was fitted with the surface by Geomagic software,the model was imported into Solidwork software to establish the talus neck fracture model and the corresponding screw.The fixtures were assembled with the anterior-posterior parallel double screw,the anterior-posterior cross-double screw,the posterior-anterior parallel double screw,and the posterioranterior cross-double screw,respectively.The model data were imported to Abaqus 6.14 for analysis and calculation,followed by the meshing pretreatment using software Hypermesh 13.0.The Von Mises stress distribution of the lag screw and displacement of the fracture end were observed under different fixation modes.Results In the displacement and stress cloud diagrams of the fracture ends of the four groups,the displacement peaks of the fractures of the anterior to posterior double-screw parallel and cross-fixed groups were 0.399 3 mm and 0.418 6 mm,and the peak pressures were 7.721 MPa and 8.124 MPa,respectively.The displacement peaks of posterior to anterior double-screw parallel and cross-groups were 0.418 3 mm and 0.418 5 mm,the fracture end peak pressures were 4.848 MPa and 5.692 MPa,respectively.In the screw stress cloud diagram of the four internal fixation modes,the Von Mises stress peaks of the anterior-posterior parallel screw group and cross-screw group were 45.11 MPa and 50.18 MPa,and those of the posterior-anterior parallel screw group and cross-screw group were 30.65 MPa and 37.68 MPa,respectively.Conclusion In the posterior-anterior parallel screw fixation,the fracture end has the lowest stress,and the screw has dispersive stress and the stress peak is the lowest,which is superior to other three groups.Therefore,the posterior-anterior screw is better than anterior-posterior fixation,and the parallel fixation is better than cross fixation.

Objective To compare the efficacy of operative and non-operative methods in the treatment of severe thoracic trauma in Tibetan Plateau.Methods A retrospective case-control study was conducted to analyze 286 patients with severe thoracic trauma admitted to the Shigatse People's Hospital from August 2016 to October 2018.There were 206 males and 80 females,aged 13-71 years [(34.3 ±11.6) years].The duration from injury to hospital ranged from 2 to 49 hours [(22.8 ± 8.3) hours].The causes of injury including fall from height in 109 patients,traffic injury in 98,crush injury in 32,blunt injury in 29,cattle head injury in 9,knife stab injury in 6 and other causes in 3.The injury severity score (ISS) varied from 16 to 48 points on admission [(24.2 ± 8.8) points].A total of 159 patients underwent operation (Operation group) and 127 patients underwent non-operative treatment (Non-operation group).The ISS score was (25.2 ± 8.3)points in Operation group and (23.7 ±7.9)points in Non-operation group.The length of hospital stay,intensive care unit (ICU) care time,complication rate and mortality were recorded in two groups.The correlation of ISS and age with mortality was investigated.Results The length of hospital stay was (12.2 ± 3.8) days in the Operation group and (19.7 ± 5.8) days in the Non-operation group (P ＜ 0.05).In the Operation group,27 patients were admitted to the ICU and stayed for (4.7 ± 1.3)days,and in the Non-operation group 33 patients were admitted to the ICU and stayed for (11.7 ± 3.2) days (P ＜ 0.05).The complication rate was 17.6％ in the Operation group and 31.5％ in the Non-operation group (P ＜0.05).Two patients died in the Operation group,with the mortality rate of 1.3％;six patients died in the Non-operation group,with the mortality rate of 4.7％,with no statistical difference (P ＞ 0.05).There were statistically significant differences in the age of death between the Operation group and the Non-operation group (P ＜ 0.05).The differences in the ISS score and age between the survival and death patients within the two groups were statistically significant (P ＜0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed age (OR =1.090,95％ CI 1.002-1.186) and ISS (OR =1.058,95％ CI 1.027-1.090) were slqnificantly related to mortality.Conclusions For severe thoracic trauma in Tibetan Plateau,operative treatment can shorten the length of hospital stay and ICU care time and reduce the incidence of complications.The mortality ratio of the two groups has no significant difference.Age and ISS may be the high risk factors for death of severe thoracic trauma patients.