| Summary: | We aimed to describe the surgical technique and clinical outcomes of
paraspinal-approach reduction and fixation (PARF) in a group of patients with Denis
type B thoracolumbar burst fracture (TLBF) with neurological deficiencies. A total of
62 patients with Denis B TLBF with neurological deficiencies were included in this
study between January 2009 and December 2011. Clinical evaluations including the
Frankel scale, pain visual analog scale (VAS) and radiological assessment (CT scans
for fragment reduction and X-ray for the Cobb angle, adjacent superior and inferior
intervertebral disc height, and vertebral canal diameter) were performed
preoperatively and at 3 days, 6 months, and 1 and 2 years postoperatively. All
patients underwent successful PARF, and were followed-up for at least 2 years.
Average surgical time, blood loss and incision length were recorded. The sagittal
vertebral canal diameter was significantly enlarged. The canal stenosis index was
also improved. Kyphosis was corrected and remained at 8.6±1.4o (P>0.05)
1 year postoperatively. Adjacent disc heights remained constant. Average Frankel
grades were significantly improved at the end of follow-up. All 62 patients were
neurologically assessed. Pain scores decreased at 6 months postoperatively, compared
to before surgery (P<0.05). PARF provided excellent reduction for traumatic
segmental kyphosis, and resulted in significant spinal canal clearance, which
restored and maintained the vertebral body height of patients with Denis B TLBF with
neurological deficits.
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