Indirect spinal canal decompression of vertebral burst fracture in calf model.
BACKGROUND
An experimental study of experimental burst fractures in bovine spinal specimens was conducted to analyze the effects of transpedicular short-segment posterior fixation followed by reduction on indirect spinal canal decompression.


METHODS
For this purpose, experimental burst fractures were created in 11 bovine specimens with a hydraulic materials-testing machine. The specimens were evaluated with plain radiographs and CT scans before reduction. Thereafter, they were instrumented with titanium transpedicular screws and rods (short-segment posterior fixation); and reduction was achieved which included distraction and kyphosis correction maneuvers.


RESULTS
Each spinal specimen was evaluated with plain radiographs and CT scans after reduction by applying distraction and kyphosis correction maneuvers. Plain radiographic analysis showed that the kyphosis angle and segmental height values improved. Furthermore, CT scans revealed that the spinal canal diameter values improved compared with those before reduction. The differences between before and after reduction in kyphosis angle, segmental height, anterior body compression, and percentage of retropulsion were statistically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
Short-segment posterior fixation followed by indirect spinal canal decompression led to an improvement over spinal canal retropulsion in experimental burst fractures. Furthermore, the kyphosis angle and segmental height values improved following the reduction compared with those before reduction.
Turker
Mustafa
M
Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Kadirli Government Hospital, Kadirli, Osmaniye, Turkey.
Tezeren
Gunduz
G
Tukenmez
Mehmet
M
Percin
Sitki
S
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D023421:Models, Animal; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D013123:Spinal Fusion; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed