Published online Jun 26, 2022. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v10.i18.6001
Peer-review started: December 27, 2021
First decision: January 25, 2022
Revised: February 24, 2022
Accepted: April 25, 2022
Article in press: April 25, 2022
Published online: June 26, 2022
Processing time: 171 Days and 17.2 Hours
Thoracolumbar fractures are usually accompanied by spinal cord injury, and anterior or combined anterior-posterior surgery is preferred for severe thoracolumbar fractures.
We have performed one-stage combined anterior-posterior surgery for severe thoracolumbar fractures with spinal cord injury at our center, and the outcomes are expected to be reported.
This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness and postoperative rehabilitation of one-stage combined anterior-posterior surgery for severe thoracolumbar fractures with spinal cord injury.
One hundred and twenty patients with severe thoracolumbar fractures and spinal cord injury treated at our hospital from February 2020 to February 2021 were randomly enrolled, which were randomly divided into group 1 (one-stage combined anterior-posterior surgery) and group 2 (one-stage anterior-approach surgery). Blood loss, incision length, operation time, intraoperative X-rays, length of hospital stay, anterior vertebral height ratio, posterior vertebral height ratio, Cobb angle, canal-occupying ratio of the affected vertebra, and quality of life scores were compared between the two groups.
Blood loss was greater and the operation time was longer in group 1 than in group 2, with significant difference. Incision length, intraoperative X-rays, and length of hospital stay were not significantly different between the two groups. Preoperative function of the affected vertebrae was not significantly different between the two groups. In each group, the patients showed significant improvement after surgery. The anterior vertebral height ratio and the posterior vertebral height ratio in group 1 after surgery were significantly higher than those in group 2. The Cobb angle after surgery was significantly lower in group 1 than in group 2. The canal-occupying ratio of the affected vertebrae was not significantly different between the two groups. Before surgery, there was no significant difference in the quality of life scores between the two groups. The above indicators were significantly improved after surgery compared with before surgery in each group. In addition, these indicators were markedly better in group 1 than in group 2 after surgery.
One-stage combined anterior-posterior surgery effectively improves the function of the affected vertebrae and the life quality of patients with severe thoracolumbar fractures and spinal cord injury.
One-stage combined anterior-posterior surgery is worthy of popularization in clinical use.