Posterior corpectomy, transpedicular fixation and expandable cage placement in thoracolumbar fractures

The objective is to evaluate the outcome of vertebral corpectomy and placement of an expandable cage in patients with thoracolumbar fractures, using a posterior-only approach. A retrospective, case series study in the period from May 2011 to May 2014, in which eight patients with thoracolumbar burst fractures were treated surgically with corpectomy of fractured spinal body, placement of expandable box and fixation with transpedicular system, via posterior-only approach. Neurologic examination was done pre- and postoperatively with the ASIA score in a one year span. The angular deformity correction was also measured. The mean age was 38 years (24 to 58 years); five male and three female patients. All the patients had burst fracture, one of them with aggregate rotational component. Only one vertebral level was worked with corpectomy in all patients. Mean surgical time was 236 minutes (195-330 min). Mean surgical bleeding was 1,731 ml. Patients who underwent posterior approach corpectomy showed favorable clinical results. None presented neurological damage or surgical-related injury. This technique can be a useful option to avoid complications related to anterior vertebral approach or double approach.