Is the AO spine thoracolumbar injury classification system reliable and practical? a systematic review

Controversy surrounding the classification of thoracolumbar injuries has given rise to various systems over years, including most recent AOSpine Thoracolumbar Injury Classification System (ATLICS). This systematic review aims provide an up-to-date evaluation literature, assessment a further three studies not analysed in previous reviews. In doing so, this is first include reliability among non-spine subspecialty professionals and document wide variety between across studies, particularly with regard sub-type classification. Relevant were found via search PubMed, EBESCO, Cochrane Web Science. Data extraction quality conducted line Collaboration guidelines. Twelve articles assessing ATLICS included review. The overall inter-observer varied from fair substantial, but additional review, compared reviews, presented on average only reliability. greatest variation results was seen A1 B3 subtypes. Least reliably classified A4 subtype. concludes that reliable for majority injuries, variability within subtypes suggests need research needs users order increase familiarity or perhaps necessity more subtype-specific criteria into system. Further also recommended modifiers, neurological application paediatric context.