Outcome of percutaneous pedicle screw fixation for traumatic thoracic and lumbar fractures -six years experience

This study discusses the experience at our centre with treating traumatic thoracolumbar fractures using percutaneous pedicle screw fixation.

We reviewed the case notes and imaging retrospectively between January 2013 and June 2019.

A total of 257 patients were included, 123 males and 134 females aged between 17 and 70; the mean age was 47.6 years. The majority of injuries were from fall from significant height. The fractures involved the thoracic and lumbar vertebra in 98 and 151 of the cases respectively. Percutaneous pedicle screw fixation was performed either one or two levels above and below the fracture depending on the level of injury. Forty two cases were treated with additional short pedicle screws at the level of fracture. More than 15% (39) of the patients presented with a neurological deficit; more than 80% (32) of those showed post-operative improvement in their neurology as per Frankel Grading system. The mean operative time was 117 min ± 45 min; mean length of hospital stay was 7.2 days ± 3.8 days, with significant improvement in pain.

Percutaneous pedicle screw fixation is a safe surgical option with comparable outcomes to open surgery and a potential reduction in perioperative morbidity.