Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society

The Korean Neurosurgical Society (대한신경외과학회)
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Implant Removal after Percutaneous Short Segment Fixation for Thoracolumbar Burst Fracture : Does It Preserve Motion?

  • Kim, Hyeun Sung (Department of Neurosurgery, Heori Sarang Hospital) ;
  • Kim, Seok Won (Department of Neurosurgery, College of Medicine, Chosun University) ;
  • Ju, Chang Il (Department of Neurosurgery, College of Medicine, Chosun University) ;
  • Wang, Hui Sun (Department of Neurosurgery, College of Medicine, Chosun University) ;
  • Lee, Sung Myung (Department of Neurosurgery, College of Medicine, Chosun University) ;
  • Kim, Dong Min (Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Chosun University)
  • Received : 2013.08.26
  • Accepted : 2014.01.10
  • Published : 2014.02.28
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Abstract

Objective : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of implant removal of percutaneous short segment fixation after vertebral fracture consolidation in terms of motion preservation. Methods : Between May 2007 and January 2011, 44 patients underwent percutaneous short segment screw fixation due to a thoracolumbar burst fracture. Sixteen of these patients, who underwent implant removal 12 months after screw fixation, were enrolled in this study. Motor power was intact in all patients, despite significant vertebral height loss and canal compromise. The patients were divided into two groups by degree of osteoporosis : Group A (n=8), the non-osteoporotic group, and Group B (n=8), the osteoporotic group. Imaging and clinical findings including vertebral height loss, kyphotic angle, range of motion (ROM), and complications were analyzed. Results : Significant pain relief was achieved in both groups at final follow-up versus preoperative values. In terms of vertebral height loss, both groups showed significant improvement at 12 months after screw fixation and restored vertebral height was maintained to final follow-up in spite of some correction loss. ROM (measured using Cobb's method) in flexion and extension in Group A was $10.5^{\circ}$ ($19.5/9.0^{\circ}$) at last follow-up, and in Group B was $10.2^{\circ}$ ($18.8/8.6^{\circ}$) at last follow-up. Both groups showed marked improvement in ROM as compared with the screw fixation state, which was considered motionless. Conclusion : Removal of percutaneous implants after vertebral fracture consolidation can be an effective treatment to preserve motion regardless of osteoporosis for thoracolumbar burst fractures.

Keywords

References

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