Percutaneous lumbar pedicle fixation in young children with flexion-distraction injury-case report and operative technique

Thoracolumbar fractures in children are relatively uncommon and should be regarded as a separate entity from those in adults. While percutaneous pedicle fixation has emerged as an effective alternative to open fixation in adults with unstable thoracolumbar fractures, this technique is rarely applied in children. We report a 6-year-old girl with an L3 chance fracture, which was treated via short-segment percutaneous pedicle fixation. We also discussed the technical challenges and caveats of this surgical technique in young children. While potentially more challenging, percutaneous pedicle fixation is feasible in young children with thoracolumbar fractures. Specific differences between the developing and mature spine in regard to anatomical and biomechanical characteristics, including ligamentous laxity and intrinsic elasticity, should be taken into consideration. Future studies are needed to compare outcomes of minimally invasive spinal techniques to open surgery in children.

Automated summary

Percutaneous pedicle fixation is feasible in young children with thoracolumbar fractures, but poses greater challenges due to differences in spinal characteristics that need to be considered. Further studies are required to compare outcomes of minimally invasive techniques to traditional open surgery in children.