The Hardware Failure and Correction Loss of Short-segment Pedicle Screw Fixation Combined With Transforaminal Interbody Fusion in Treatment of Unstable Thoracolumbar Burst Fracture: Retrospective Study in Vietnam

Abstract

Background: Correction loss and hardware failure of short segment posterior pedicle screw fixation in treatment of thoracolumbar unstable burst fracture have been remaining a main concern. Several authors have introduced the procedures to solve these limitations including transforaminal interbody fusion (TIF). The purposes of this study were to evaluate the progressive kyphosis and implant failure of short-segment pedicle screw fixation combined with transforaminal interbody fusion in treatment of unstable thoracolumbar burst fracture.Methods: The retrospective study were enrolled in the patients with isolated unstable thoracolumbar burst fractures, Denis type IIB who were treated by posterior short fixation with TIF between January 2013 to January 2017. Patients were followed up for a minimum of one and half year. For evaluation of correction loss, % loss of anterior vertebral body heights (%AVB), vertebral kyphotic angle (VA) and regional kyphotic angle (RA) were collected preoperatively, postoperatively and at final follow-up. The hardware failure was assessed on radiological images at last follow-up. Results: There were 36 patients who met the inclusion criteria with a mean follow-up duration of 53 months. The mean correction loss of %AVB, VA and, RA were 10.2%, 2.9o and 5.6o, respectively. There were 6 patients (16.7%) with hardware failure at final follow-up. Conclusions: Short-segment posterior pedicle screw fixation with TIF using bone chip graft hasn’t prevented completely the hardware failure and progressive kyphosis in treatment of unstable thoracolumbar burst fracture.