Management of Pediatric Posttraumatic Thoracolumbar Vertebral Body Burst Fractures by Use of Single-Stage Posterior Transpedicular Approach

PURPOSE: The posterior transpedicular approach (PTA) is a posterior approach that has the advantage of achieving circumferential arthrodesis by a single posterior-only approach. The purpose of this study was to analyze our experience with PTA in the management of pediatric traumatic thoracolumbar burst fractures (TTLBFs). METHODS: Consecutive pediatric patients (age <= 18 years) with TTLBFs treated with PTA for 6 years were included in this retrospective study. Correction of kyphotic deformity and change in neurologic status were analyzed to assess outcome. The Cobb angle and American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grade were used for this purpose. RESULTS: There were 6 male and 8 female patients. Five patients had complete injury (ASIA-A), and 9 had incomplete injury. The mean Thoracolumbar Injury Classification and Severity score was 6.71. The mean preoperative Cobb angle was 14.71 degrees and improved to -3.35 degrees postoperatively (mean kyphosis correction -18.05 degrees). Two of the patients experienced iatrogenic nerve root injury. There was 1 postoperative mortality due to complications unrelated to the surgery. The mean Cobb angle was -0.07 degrees at the 32.2-month follow-up visit. Six patients experienced cage subsidence, but none required revision surgery. Post-operatively, 11 (78.5%) patients showed neurologic improvement, and none experienced deterioration. The average ASIA score improved from 2.5 to 3.78. A fusion rate of 100% (n = 12) was observed at the last follow-up visit. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrates that PTA is a feasible approach in selected pediatric patients with unstable traumatic thoracolumbar burst fractures, with results comparable with those in the adult population. This study demonstrates in detail the procedure, along with the neurologic and radiologic outcomes of this approach in the pediatric population.