Minimally invasive percutaneous pedicle screw fixation versus open pedicle screw fixation for senile osteoporotic vertebral fracture

Objective: To investigate the clinical efficacy of minimally invasive percutaneous pedicle screw fixation or open pedicle screw fixation for senile osteoporotic vertebral fracture. Methods: Fifty-nine cases of senile osteoporotic vertebral fracture were divided into an experimental group (n=36, minimally invasive percutaneous pedicle screw fixation) and control group (n=23, conventional posterior pedicle screw fixation) according to the surgery they received. Results: The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, incision length, hospitalization time as well as the incidence of postoperative complications in the experimental group were less than those in the control group (all P<0.05). The percentage of vertebral height, kyphotic angle and disc height of the two groups were improved 1 week and 6 months after surgery (all P<0.05); while the difference between groups were insignificant (all P>0.05). The Visual Analogue Scale and Oswestry disability index of both groups were improved 6 months after surgery, which were more apparent in the experimental group (all P<0.05). Conclusions: Both minimally invasive percutaneous pedicle screw fixation and open pedicle screw fixation can achieve satisfactory internal fixation, while the former has less trauma, short operative time, fast recovery, few postoperative complications and light postoperative pain.