Minimally Invasive Posterior Fixation for Thoracolumbar Fractures

All surgical procedures were performed under general anesthesia. Patients were placed in the prone position. Using the Wiltse paraspinal approach [14 (link)], pedicle screws (CD Horizon Solera Sagittal Adjusting Screw®, Medtronic) were placed in the vertebrae below and above the fracture. After attaching the rod, indirect reduction via ligamentotaxis was performed to restore the vertebral body height and achieve posterior wall decompression. Postero-lateral fusion or facet fusion was not applied. After reduction maneuver, seventeen patients who showed intra-vertebral cavities underwent vertebroplasty by filling the hydroxyapatite blocks through the trans-pedicular approach. Seven patients who showed severe canal compromise by the posterior wall fragment before surgery underwent additional posterior decompression. Anterior decompression through a posterior approach was not performed.