title: Kyphoplasty as an alternative treatment of traumatic thoracolumbar burst fractures Magerl type A3.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Traumatic thoracolumbar spine fractures are frequently classified as burst fractures Magerl type A3. There still are many controversies regarding the treatment of this fracture. The therapeutic spectrum ranges from conservative to invasive operative methods with attendant morbidities. The minimal-invasive technique of kyphoplasty has established itself as a common treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures and is associated with a low complication rate. The aim of this study is to evaluate the functional and radiological results after kyphoplasty of traumatic thoracolumbar burst fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with traumatic thoracolumbar fractures type A3.1, A3.2 and A3.3, who were treated with kyphoplasty, were included in this study. The clinical outcome was measured at follow up with a neurological assessment, the visual analogue pain scale (VAS), the Oswestry Disability Score (ODI) and the SF-36 Health Survey. The radiological measurements, performed on preoperative, postoperative and follow up radiographs, included the sagittal index, the wedge angle and the modified Cobb angle of Daniaux.
  
  
  RESULTS
  26 patients with 23 A3.1, one A3.2 and five A3.3 fractures were treated between 2004 and 2007, including five patients with multiple vertebral fractures. At follow up the Oswestry Disability Score (26.2%) and the SF-36 score (60.1%) assessed a moderately limitation of functional outcome and quality of life without any neurological deficits. Radiological measurements showed a postoperative height restoration and reduction of kyphosis, but at follow up a secondary loss of correction except in five cases. Six minor ventrocranial cement leakages without further clinical consequence were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study showed that kyphoplasty is a safe and feasible method for the treatment of burst fractures. It allowed the correction of the kyphosis, stabilisation of the facture, pain reduction and early mobilisation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma and Orthopedic Surgery, University Medical Centre Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, Mainz, Germany. hartmann@unfall.klinik.uni-mainz.de
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hartmann
authors.forename: Erol
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gercek
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Leiner
authors.forename: Pol Maria
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Rommens
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001843:Bone Cements / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004434:Early Ambulation; D005260:Female; D050815:Fractures, Compression / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D058498:Kyphoplasty; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000517:prevention & control; D010147:Pain Measurement; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D054854:Vertebroplasty / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D001843:Bone Cements