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Updated: Jun 23, 2026
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Minimally Invasive Treatment for Thoracolumbar Burst Fracture Using Sagittal Alignment Screws and A Trauma Reduction Device
Published on: November 8, 2024
Minimally invasive spine stabilisation with long implants
Carlo Ambrogio Logroscino1, Luca Proietti, Francesco Ciro Tamburrelli
1Department of Spine Surgery, Università Cattolica S. Cuore, Roma, Largo A. Gemelli 8, Rome 00135, Italy.
Summary
Long percutaneous fixation using extended implants effectively treats complex thoracolumbar fractures and spinal osteolysis. This minimally invasive approach offers a safe alternative to more aggressive surgeries for select patients.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Spinal Surgery
- Minimally Invasive Procedures
Background:
- Percutaneous minimally invasive posterior fixation, initially for lumbar spine degeneration, is increasingly used for thoracolumbar fractures.
- Current practice favors short implants (one level above/below) for spinal motion preservation.
- Complex fractures and comorbidities can contraindicate short fixation constructs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of long percutaneous fixation (two levels above/below) in specific thoracolumbar pathologies.
- To present outcomes in cases where short fixation was not recommended.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of nine patients treated with long percutaneous fixation.
- Inclusion criteria: severe vertebral body fragmentation or spinal osteolysis.
- Surgical approach: percutaneous minimally invasive posterior instrumentation.
Main Results:
- Seven patients had thoracolumbar fractures (T12, L1, T10, L2 involved), with Magerl classifications A3.1-A3.3 and B2.3.
- Two patients had severe spinal osteolysis due to tumoral lesions.
- All patients achieved good outcomes with prompt recovery; no implant failure or mobilization noted at 1-year follow-up (except one mortality unrelated to the implant).
Conclusions:
- Long percutaneous fixation is an effective and safe surgical option for selected complex vertebral lesions.
- This approach provides an alternative to more aggressive procedures, potentially avoiding overtreatment.
- Further research may validate long-segment percutaneous fixation for specific indications.
