Treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures with neurological impairment by unilateral biportal endoscopic spine surgery combined with percutaneous pedicle screw system internal fixation
10.3760/cma.j.cn121113-20241104-00626
- VernacularTitle:双通道脊柱内镜技术减压复位经皮椎弓根钉棒固定治疗伴神经功能损害的胸腰椎爆裂骨折
- Author:
Huazhang ZHONG
1
;
Bin ZHU
1
;
Lei CHEN
1
;
Qifei WANG
1
;
Juehua JING
1
;
Dasheng TIAN
1
Author Information
1. 安徽医科大学第二附属医院脊柱外科，合肥 230601
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Thoracolumbar fracture;
Pedicle screws;
Arthroscopy;
Nerve injury
- From:
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedics
2025;45(1):19-28
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:This study was aimed to investigate the clinical efficacy of unilateral biportal endoscopic spine surgery (UBE)-assisted decompression and reduction combined with a percutaneous pedicle screw and rod fixation system in the treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures with neurological deficits.Methods:This was a retrospective observational study conducted on 21 patients with thoracolumbar burst fractures and neurological deficits treated with UBE-assisted decompression and reduction combined with a percutaneous pedicle screw and rod fixation system from April 2022 to August 2023. There were 13 males and 8 females, with an average age of 48.48±14.04 years (ranging from 25 to 72 years). Injured segments were T 12 in 2 cases, L 1 in 7 cases, L 2 in 6 cases, L 3 in 3 cases, L 4 in 2 cases, and L 5 in 1 case. According to the AOSpine Thoracolumbar Spine Injury Classification System, there were 14 cases of A3N2, 2 cases of A3N3, 4 cases of A4N2, and 1 case of A4N3. Surgery time, postoperative hospital stays, and complications were recorded. Local Cobb angle, vertebral fragment intrusion area, spinal canal occupation rate, and anterior vertebral height compression rate were measured preoperatively, postoperatively, and at the last follow-up. Screw placement accuracy was assessed using postoperative CT. Neurological function was evaluated using the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grading system, and clinical efficacy was assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Oswestry disability index (ODI). Results:All patients successfully underwent the operation without any conversions to open surgery during the procedure. A total of 105 percutaneous pedicle screws were placed, with an accuracy rate of 96.2%. Internal fixation devices were removed in 18 cases at the last follow-up. The 21 patients were followed up for 18.38±3.66 months (ranging from 12 to 25 months). The surgery time was 150.29±18.84 min (ranging from 111 to 185 min). Postoperative hospital stay was 5.19±1.15 d (ranging from 3 to 7 d). One patient underwent interbody fusion with an autologous iliac crest bone graft and achieved bony fusion at 12 months postoperatively. Preoperative local Cobb angle, anterior vertebral height compression rate, vertebral fragment intrusion area, and spinal canal occupation rate were 22.90°±4.48°, 54.49%±7.53%, 142.90±21.00 mm 2, and 69.91%±7.07%, respectively. Postoperative values improved to 2.57°±1.09°, 5.19%±1.04%, 56.33±11.35 mm 2, and 25.72%±4.24%, with last follow-up values of 3.19°±1.01°, 5.75%±0.92%, 34.90±5.14 mm 2, and 18.25%±2.44% with significant differences ( P<0.05). Preoperatively, all patients were ASIA grade D. Within 48 hours postoperatively, 10 patients improved to grade E, and at the last follow-up, all patients achieved grade E. VAS scores significantly decreased from 8.10±0.92 preoperatively to 3.48±0.59 postoperatively and 1.52±0.73 at the last follow-up ( F=486.032, P<0.001); ODI significantly improved from 58.14%±5.08% preoperatively to 27.20%±2.65% postoperatively and 8.89%±1.19% at the last follow-up ( F=2'001.348, P<0.001). One patient developed a postoperative wound infection, which healed with regular dressing changes. Conclusions:UBE-assisted decompression and reduction combined with a percutaneous pedicle screw and rod fixation system was a safe and effective approach for the treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures with neurological deficits. This method achieved vertebral reduction, improved neurological function, stabilized spinal alignment, and maximally preserved the integrity of posterior spinal bony and ligamentous structures.
