Observational study of short-segment pedicle screw fixation for dorsolumbar spine injury

Background: Traumatic injury of dorsolumbar spine is one of the most common sites of spinal injuries because of its location between rigid kyphotic thoracic and mobile lordotic lumbar spine. Its treatment by pedicle screw fixation by short segment (one level above and below the fractured vertebra) or long segment (two levels above and below the fractured vertebra) has always remained a matter of debate. The aim of this study was to assess the functional outcome of short-segment fixation in dorsolumbar spine injury. Materials and Methods: This prospective study was conducted on thirty, single-level, unstable dorsolumbar spine fracture patients, who underwent short-segment pedicle screw instrumentation at Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, between October 2019 and September 2021. All the patients were operated by posterior approach and stabilized the vertebrae with short-segment pedicle screw instrumentation. All patients were followed up for 1 year. Results: Thirty patients (21 males and 9 females) of mean age 34.2 ± 11.74 years were included in the study. The most common mode of injury was fall from height (24 patients, 80%), followed by road traffic accident (six patients, 20%). The most common fracture pattern was compression fractures in 23 (76.67%) patients, followed by burst fractures in 7 (23.33%) patients. The most common level of injury was L1, followed by D12. Neurological improvement of at least one level was seen in 21 patients, and nine patients had no neurological improvement. There was a statistically significant correction of kyphotic angle of 14.9°. At 1 year of follow-up, 21 (70%) patients had <40% Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and 9 (30%) patients had more than 40% ODI. Out of 30 patients, 2 (6.67%) patients had bedsore, 1 (3.33%) patient had superficial infection, and 1 (3.33%) patient had implant failure. Conclusion: The short-segment posterior instrumentation system is a very stable construct. It maintained the corrected deformity after fracture reduction and spares the motion segment which is sacrificed in the conventional long-segment fixation. The soft tissue dissection, blood loss, and duration of surgery are less in this procedure.