A comparison of three different surgical procedures in the treatment of type A thoracolumbar fractures: a randomized controlled trial

Purpose The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of three different surgical procedures in the treatment of type A thoracolumbar fractures. Materials and methods Between September 2012 and January 2015, a total of 90 patients with type A thoracolumbar fractures were randomly assigned into three groups of 30 each. Patients in group A, B, and C were treated with three-level percutaneous fixation, two-level percutaneous fixation, and three-level open fixation, respectively. Blood loss, duration of surgery, VAS scores, Cobb angles, and anterior height ratios of fractured vertebrae were collected for statistical analysis. Results The average follow-up was 17.7 months. Post-operative Cobb angles were significantly corrected and anterior height ratios of fractured vertebrae were well restored in all three groups ( p