title: [Pedicle fixation without bone fusion for the treatement of thoracolumbar fractures through paraspinal approach].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate clinical effects of pedicle fixation without bone fusion in treating thoracolumbar fractures through paraspinal approach.
  
  
  METHODS
  From January 2006 to January 2009, 25 patients (15 males and 10 females) with thoracolumbar fractures were treated. The average age was 39.3 years,ranged from 17 to 49 years. According to classification, flexion fracture in 7 cases, brust fracture in 18 cases. There were no nervous injury, and radiology information showed the angle of sagittal vertebral body >20 degrees or collapse of vertebral body >40%,without vertebral injury. The operation were performed at 3 to 7 days after injury (mean 5 day). Internal fixation implants were removed at 8 to 12 months after operation. The height, kyphosis angle were measured before operation, 1 week and 24 months after operation,and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were compared before and after operation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients were followed up for 24 months. Among them, 1 case was followed up at 30 months after operation. The operation time ranged from 70 to 110 (mean 90) minutes, the blood loss was 120 to 280 (mean 200) ml. The height of vertebral body and kyphosis angle were obviously corrected, and had significant differences between postoperation immediately and at the final follow-up (P<0.05). There were no differences after remove of internal fixation (P>0.05). The final ODI was (5.36 +/- 1.21)%, had statistical differences compared with preoperation (P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For flexion and burst thoracolumbar fractures without nervous injury, pedicle fixation without bone fusion is a good method,which has advantages of minimally invasive, rapid recovery, and maintain spinal motion segment.
authors.affiliation: The Second Department of Orthopaedics, the First Hospital of Nanping City Afflicated to Fujian Medical University, Nanping 353001, Fujian, China. Paul242@sina.com
authors.forename: Jian-Guang
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Bi-hua
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: Jun-Hui
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.forename: Bi-Cheng
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Qiu
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ye
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000379:methods*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult