Single-stage operation for traumatic thoracolumbar fractures with severe dislocation via a posterior approach alone: a case series

Abstract

Aim: This study reports a technique for treating severe thoracolumbar fractures with single-stage decompression, reduction, reconstruction, and stabilization via an entirely posterior approach.

Material and methods: The cases of 11 patients with severe traumatic thoracolumbar fractures/dislocations that were managed with single-stage decompression, reduction, reconstruction, and stabilization via an entirely posterior approach were included. Data on age, sex, mechanism of injury, associated trauma, neurological status, surgical technique, and clinical outcome were reviewed retrospectively.

Results: Of the 11 patients, two presented with primarily coronal displacement and nine with sagittal displacement. Coronal displacement was corrected from 19% preoperatively to 4.0% at the last follow-up evaluation. Sagittal displacement was reduced from 73.0% preoperatively to 3.0% at the last follow-up evaluation. After a mean follow-up period of 20.7 (range 16-30) months, no patient complained of local pain and no significant loss of correction or hardware failure was observed.

Conclusion: Our experience proves that the single-stage posterior approach is safe and biomechanically reliable for treating severe thoracolumbar fractures/dislocations. Therefore, the presented technique is an alternative approach for this rare injury.