The management of thoracolumbar burst fractures: a prospective study between conservative management, traditional open spinal surgery and minimally interventional spinal surgery

The objective of this study was to assess which patient group had better outcomes for management of single level thoracolumbar spinal fractures. We prospectively collected data on the outcomes of patients having either conservatively managed, traditional open surgery, or minimally interventional surgery (MIS) for treatment of a single level thoracolumbar fracture. All patients had previously asymptomatic spines prior to their fractures and had a single level thoracolumbar burst fracture of more than 20° kyphosis. Fractures treated operatively, either via open surgery or MIS techniques, were corrected to less than 10° of residual kyphosis using a monoaxial pedicle screw construct 2 levels above & 2 levels below the fracture posteriorly only. The metalwork was removed between 6 months and 1 year post operatively to remobilise the spinal segments. All patients were then evaluated at least 6 months after metal work removal and at 18 months post fracture using radiographs and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Those patients treated with MIS techniques demonstrated superior outcomes compared to traditional open techniques and conservative methods of treatment, with significantly reduced hospital stay, better return to work & leisure, and the best chance of restoring their spine to near its pre-injury status. We would recommend MIS techniques as the best way of treating single level thoracolumbar spinal fractures. There is a significant improvement in ODI when treated by MIS over open surgical methods.