Experience of Short Segment Fixation in Thoracolumbar Spine Traumatic Fractures at Tertiary Care Hospital
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51253/pafmj.v76i3.12488Keywords:
Spinal Injury, Thoracolumbar, Oswestry Disability Index, Visual Analog ScaleAbstract
Objective: To assess the outcome of short-segment posterior fixation in thoracolumbar fractures in terms of reducing kyphosis, the mean hospital stay, pain, intraoperative blood loss, surgical time, and improvement in functional outcome.
Study Design: Prospective observational study.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Neurosurgery, Combined Military Hospital, Lahore Pakistan, from Apr to Dec 2023.
Methodology: A total of 40 patients with mono-segmental thoracolumbar fractures were operated on for Short segment posterior fixation (SSPF) between April 2023 to December 2023 at Combined Military Hospital, Lahore. Various clinical and radiological indices were obtained pre-operatively, postoperatively, and outdoor follow-up till six months; including Cobb angle/Kyphotic Angle (KA), Local kyphotic angle (LKA), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Anterior vertebral body height ratio (AVBHR%), and pain score (Visual analog scale). Data was analyzed using SPSS.
Results: Out of 40 patients, with male preponderance and a mean age of 41.82 years, the mean pre-operative, post-operative, and 06-month follow-up kyphotic angles were 15.72 degrees, 6.72±3.74 degrees, and 8.25±2.48 degrees, respectively. The mean preoperative ODI was 65.7±8.90 which reduced to 20.7±3.44 at six months follow-ups, while the VAS improved from 7.10±1.05 to 3.90±1.40, and 2.70±1.22, at 3 and 6 months follow-up, respectively. The mean operative time was 120.50±36.60 minutes, and the mean surgical blood loss was 349.10±109.00 milliliters. The average hospitalization period was 9.50± 4.00 while Twelve patients lost to follow-up.
Conclusion: SSPF is an effective surgical option for thoracolumbar fractures; allows for a shorter hospital stay, reduced post-operative pain, early patient mobilization, and functional improvement, with
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