The minimally invasive procedure was performed for 50 consecutive patients who had thoracolumbar fractures with or without associated incomplete neurologic deficit. After a minimum of 12-month follow-up, the mean bone graft volume was 4.8 cubic centimeters.
The average intraoperative blood loss was 100 milliliters, and no surgical complications were reported. Forty-two patients reported at least one American Spine Injury Association grade neurologic improvement. The average anterior height of the body rose from 53.2 percent preoperatively to 93.6 percent postoperatively.
Read the abstract about percutaneous external pedicular fixation and intracorporeal bone grafting for thoracolumbar fractures.
Read other coverage on spine surgery studies:
– Spine Surgeons Participate in Superion ISS Study
– Johns Hopkins Study Shows Wearing Helmets While Motorcycling Decreases Cervical Spine Injury Risk
– Study: Rigid Occipitocervical Construct Best During Cervical Spine Surgery
