Effects of short- and long-segment posterior instrumentation on spinal canal remodeling in thoracolumbar vertebra burst fractures

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Spinal canal remodeling results according to Magerl classification and fracture localization after short- and long-segment posterior instrumentation treatment were evaluated in patients with thoracolumbar junction burst fracture. METHODS: Eighty patients were divided into two groups: Group 1: short-segment posterior instrumentation was applied in 36 patients [9F, 27M; Median age: 42.1 (range: 19-65)] and Group 2: long-segment posterior instrumentation was applied in 44 patients [18F, 26M; Median age: 46.3 (range: 18-78)]. Twenty patients had T12, 41 patients had L1 and 19 patients had L2 fracture. According to Magerl classification, 44 patients were A3.1, 19 were A3.2 and 17 were A3.3. In both groups, spinal canal remodeling effectiveness was evaluated postoperatively with respect to all parameters. RESULTS: Median follow-up time was 35.7 months for Group 1 (12-58) and 33.1 months for Group 2 (12-58). In both groups, spinal canal remodeling was statistically significant, but a higher recovery ratio was obtained in Group 2 in comparison to Group 1. According to Magerl classification, in type A3.3 fractures, a more significant remodeling was obtained in Group 2 patients (p=0.005). A significant difference was determined in Group 2 at the T12 level according to fracture localization (p=0.018). CONCLUSION: An adequate spinal canal remodeling is obtained by posterior instrumentation, but in comminuted fractures like Magerl type A3.3, a better remodeling can be obtained by long-segment posterior instrumentation.