Endoscopic Decompression Combined with Percutaneous Pedicle Screw Fixation for Treating Thoracolumbar Burst Fractures with Neurological Deficits: Technical Note and Early Outcomes

- OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to introduce surgical technique of endoscopic decompression combined with cits and evaluate its efficacy.- METHODS: A total of 32 patients with TLBFs and neurological deficits who were treated by endoscopic August 2019 were included in this study. The effect of decompression was analyzed using canal encroachment ratio, while deformity correction was assessed using the sagittal Cobb angle and the percentage of anterior vertebral height. We also analyzed other clinical outcomes such as visual analog scale, Oswestry Disability Index, and- RESULTS: The patients were followed up for an average of 16 months. Our data showed that the patients' mean operation time was 153.75 minutes, the mean intraoperative blood loss was 48.84 mL, and the mean incision length was 7.78 cm. The canal encroachment ratio decreased from 55.91% +/- 12.27% to 12.44% +/- 3.91% (P < 0.05), sagittal Cobb angle decreased from 17.09 degrees +/- 5.46 degrees to 5.72 degrees +/- 3.68 degrees (P < 0.05), while the percentage of anterior vertebral height increased from 53.72% +/- 8.99% to 83.22% +/- 8.21% (P < 0.05). In addition, there was a significant improvement in the visual analog scale score, Oswestry Disability Index, and American Spinal Injury Association impairment scale classification (P < 0.05). Screw fracture occurred only in one patient during follow-up. -CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic decompression combined with PPSF in the treatment of TLBFs with neurological deficits is safe and effective, which is a new minimally invasive method for the treatment of such diseases.

Automated summary

This study aims to introduce the surgical technique of endoscopic decompression combined with posterior pedicle screw fixation and evaluate its efficacy. A total of 32 patients with TLBFs and neurological deficits were included and underwent various assessments. The results showed that this minimally invasive method was safe and effective in treating TLBFs.