Outcomes of Anterior Decompression and Anterior Instrumentation in Thoracolumbar Burst Fractures-A Prospective Observational Study With Mid-Term Follow-up

Objective: To analyze the functional, neurological, and radiological outcomes after anterior surgery in thoracolumbar burst fractures. Design: Prospective observational study. Setting: Tertiary care hospital. Patients: Thirty-six patients with thoracolumbar burst fractures (T11-L2). Intervention: Anterior decompression, anterior column reconstruction with mesh cage, and instrumented stabilization. Outcome: Functional (Visual Analog Score, Oswestry Disability Index, and Spinal Cord Independence Measure), neurological (ASIA Impairment Scale), and radiological (kyphosis, anterior vertebral height loss, canal encroachment %) parameters. Results: Patients were prospectively followed for a mean duration of 5.9 +/- 3.2 years (2.4-10 years). Statistically significant improvement was noted in functional outcomes from preop values (P-value < 0.001). 29 patients (80.5%) had improvement in neurology after surgery at the final follow-up with a positive correlation with % change in canal encroachment (r = 0.64, P -0.018). The mean preoperative kyphosis of 29.1 +/- 11.9 degrees got corrected to 9.4 +/- 3.8 degrees in immediate postop and 15.7 +/- 11.8 at the final follow-up(P < 0.001). Preoperative mean canal encroachment of 58.5 +/- 15.7% was reduced to 6.5 +/- 3.2% postoperatively (P < 0.001). Two patients developed neurological complications (subacute progressive ascending myelopathy), and 5 patients developed pulmonary complications. No pseudarthrosis, implant loosening, or cage migration was noted in any patient. Conclusion: Anterior surgery performed in 36 patients with thoracolumbar burst fractures in our study showed good outcomes. 80.5% of patients improved in neurology after surgery by at least one ASIA Impairment Scale grade. There was statistically significant improvement noted in radiological outcome (Kyphosis and Canal encroachment %) and functional outcome (Visual Analog Score, Oswestry Disability Index, and Spinal Cord Independence Measure score) after surgery in immediate postop and at the final follow-up. Only 13.8% of patients developed pulmonary complications that were managed successfully with chest drain.

Automated summary

This study analyzed the outcomes of anterior surgery in thoracolumbar burst fractures, including functional, neurological, and radiological parameters. The results showed significant improvement in functional, neurological, and radiological outcomes after surgery.