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. 2022 Jan-Feb;36(1):384-390.
doi: 10.21873/invivo.12715.

A Novel Device for Closed Reduction and Percutaneous Fixation of Thoracolumbar Fractures

Christoph Linhart  1 , Christopher A Becker  2 , Nima Befrui  2 , Eduardo M Suero  2 , Adrian C Kussmaul  2 , Wolfgang Böcker  2 , Christian Kammerlander  2   3 , Axel Greiner  2
Affiliations

A Novel Device for Closed Reduction and Percutaneous Fixation of Thoracolumbar Fractures

Christoph Linhart et al. In Vivo. 2022 Jan-Feb.

Abstract

Background/aim: Open surgical reduction/fixation of thoracolumbar fractures results in significant soft-tissue trauma and related complications. Minimally-invasive technical developments could deliver similar radiological outcomes, while avoiding the related complications. We evaluated radiological and perioperative outcomes in thoracolumbar fractures by using a novel minimally-invasive device.

Patients and methods: Twenty-six patients with 29 thoracolumbar fractures using the NForce device were analyzed. Postoperative reduction and alignment were assessed by radiographic measurement of the local kyphosis angle (LKA) up until a follow-up period of 9 months.

Results: Postoperative imaging revealed an average reduction of traumatic kyphosis of 8.25° (±7.72°) with an average postoperative LKA of 3.24° (±8.97°). The highest degree of reduction was 27.39°. The mean LKA had increased to 5.08° (±5.17°) at 3 months postoperative, 5.43° (±4.32°) at 6 months and 6.21° (±3.82°) at 9 months.

Conclusion: The minimally invasive NForce system is effective in performing anatomic percutaneous reduction/fixation.

Keywords: Nforce; Spine; closed reduction; dorsal instrumentation; fracture; lumbar spine; reduction; stabilization; surgical treatment; thoraco-lumbar fracture.

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Conflict of interest statement

The Authors have no conflicts of interest with regard to the work presented.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Boxplot representation of local kyphosis angles measured at the following timemarks: preoperative, postoperative, 3 months post-op, 6 months post-op and 9 months post-op. n indicates the number of vertebrae analyzed at the given timemark. Note that negative LKA values indicate a local lordosis/reclination.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Images from Pat. #1 a 2001 born male. (A) Shows a fracture of the L1 vertebral body. (B) Intraoperative use of the NForce-System: Reduction device for minimally invasive percutaneous posterior instrumentation. (C) Intraoperative fluoroscopy imaging of application of the NForce-Device. The amount of correction is reached using the double ratch mechanism. (D) x-ray one day after surgery.
Figure 3
Figure 3. Boxplot representation of local kyphosis angles measured in 7 cases with spinal imaging data available up until the 9-month mark.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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