Single-Stage Posterior Transpedicular Corpectomy and 360-Degree Reconstruction for Thoracic and Lumbar Burst Fractures: Technical Nuances and Outcomes

Background We evaluate the feasibility of a single-stage posterior corpectomy and circumferential arthrodesis with the aid of spinal navigation for the treatment of traumatic thoracolumbar burst fractures. Methods This was a single-center, retrospective study. Demographics, clinical, and radiologic data of 19 patients who underwent surgery at our institution for thoracolumbar burst fractures between 2016 and 2019 were collected. All patients enrolled in the present study underwent surgery by means of posterior fixation and transpedicular corpectomy with the aid of an intraoperative image-guided neuronavigation system. Results Postoperative correction of the vertebral height ratio was achieved in all cases, with an average increase of 23.6% ( p = 0.0005). No statistical differences ( p = 0.9) were found comparing 1- and 3-month postoperative CT scans, in relation to vertebral height ratio. A statistically significant difference was found between the pre- and postoperative kyphotic angles for the thoracolumbar and lumbar segments ( p = 0.0018 and 0.005, respectively), but no difference was found between kyphotic angles at the 3-month follow-up. A unilateral approach was performed on 15 patients (79%), while 4 cases (21%) required a bilateral laminectomy. We did not observe any significant intraoperative complication. Conclusion Single-stage posterior corpectomy and fixation is a safe and effective approach for thoracic and lumbar burst fractures. It provides excellent 360-degree reconstruction in a single surgical stage with satisfactory results in terms of kyphosis reduction, biomechanical stability, and reduced invasiveness. Spinal navigation represents a fundamental tool to overcome some anatomical limits of the presented technique.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the feasibility of using spinal navigation for the treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures with a single-stage posterior corpectomy and fixation. The results showed that this approach provided satisfactory outcomes in terms of correction of vertebral height ratio, reduction of kyphosis, and biomechanical stability.