Comparative Outcomes of Percutaneous and Conventional Open Pedicle Screw Fixation for Single-level Thoracolumbar...

To compare post-operative outcomes of percutaneous pedicle screw fixation (PPSF) vs open pedicle screw fixation (OPSF) in patients with thoracolumbar spine fractures with no neurological deficits.

In a randomised controlled trial, patients received short-segment fixation with intermediate screws. We assessed post-operative back pain (Visual Analog Scale or VAS), blood loss, operative/fluoroscopy times, radiographic parameters, and oswestry disability index (ODI) scores at 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months.

Between January 2018 and October 2019, 31 patients received PPSF and 30 OPSF. Mean intra-operative blood loss was 66.45 (±44.29) ml for PPSF vs 184.83 (±128.36) ml for OPSF (p<0.001). Fluoroscopy time averaged 2.36 (±0.76) minutes for PPSF vs 0.58 (±0.51) minutes for OPSF (p<0.001). No significant differences existed in operative time or post-operative VAS scores. Radiographic parameters (kyphosis angle and vertebral height ratios) didn't significantly differ post-operatively or at 12 months. However, ODI scores differed significantly at 6 months (p=0.025), with no difference at 12 months.

In this trial, PPSF was comparable to OPSF in improving ODI scores at 12 months but showed earlier improvement at 6 months and reduced blood loss. Radiographic outcomes remained similar between groups over 12 months.