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Vol. 28. Issue 5.
Pages 218-234 (September - October 2017)
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Vol. 28. Issue 5.
Pages 218-234 (September - October 2017)
Clinical Research
Rationale and complications of the anterior-lateral extrapleural retroperitoneal approach for unstable thoracolumbar fractures: Experience in 86 consecutive patients
Fundamentos y complicaciones del abordaje anterolateral extrapleural-retroperitoneal en fracturas inestables toracolumbares: experiencia en 86 pacientes consecutivos
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Pedro David Delgado-Lópeza,
Corresponding author
pedrodl@yahoo.com

Corresponding author.
, Antonio Rodríguez-Salazara, Vicente Martín-Velascoa, Javier Martín-Alonsoa, José Manuel Castilla-Díeza, Ana Galacho-Harrieroa, Elena Araús-Galdósb
a Servicio de Neurocirugía, Hospital Universitario de Burgos, Burgos, Spain
b Servicio de Neurofisiología Clínica, Hospital Universitario de Burgos, Burgos, Spain
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Tables (5)
Table 1. AOSpine and TLICSS classifications of thoracolumbar spine fractures.
Table 2. Clinical characteristics of the cohort treated with the anterior-lateral extrapleural extraperitoneal approach.
Table 3. Postoperative complications occurring in the cohort of surgically treated patients.
Table 4. Advantages and disadvantages of the anterior-lateral (extrapleural extraperitoneal) and posterior (transpedicular screw fixation) approaches for treating unstable TL fractures.
Table 5. Summary of the complication rates in the anterior-lateral and posterior approaches for treating unstable TL fractures, as per the literature review.11,13,15,19,28,29,31,33–35,37–41
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Abstract
Objectives

To describe the rationale, pros and cons, and complications of the anterior-lateral extrapleural retroperitoneal approach for unstable (TLICS>4) thoracolumbar fractures.

Patients and methods

Clinical and radiological data and outcomes from a cohort treated surgically via said approach were retrospectively reviewed. All patients were operated on exclusively by 5 neurosurgeons trained in spine surgery.

Results

Between June 1999 and December 2015, 86 patients underwent surgery (median age 42 years, most common level: L1). Approximately 32.5% presented with a preoperative neurological defect. After surgery (mean duration: 275min), 75.6% presented with no neurological sequelae and only one-third required blood transfusion. Median postoperative stay was 7 days. Correction of kyphosis was considered adequate and suboptimal but acceptable in 91% and 9% of the patients, respectively. Complications occurred in 36 patients, the majority being transient. We observed failure of the construct in 2 cases (collapse of an expandable cage and extrusion of a locking screw). No infections, vascular or visceral lesions, permanent neurological worsening or mortality occurred during hospitalisation. One patient ultimately needed additional posterior fixation due to persistence of pain. Median follow-up was 252days (27.9% was lost to follow-up).

Conclusions

The extrapleural extraperitoneal approach provides solid anterior reconstruction, allows wide decompression of the spinal canal, and permits adequate and long-lasting correction of kyphosis. The rates of infection, construct failure, need for reoperation and vascular or visceral lesions are minimal.

Keywords:
Thoracolumbar fracture
TLICS
Extrapleural approach
Anterior approach
Kyphosis
Complications
Resumen
Objetivos

Describir los fundamentos, las ventajas, los inconvenientes y las complicaciones del abordaje anterolateral extrapleural-extraperitoneal en fracturas toracolumbares inestables (TLICSS>4).

Pacientes y métodos

Se evalúan retrospectivamente datos clínicos y radiológicos, resultados y complicaciones de una cohorte intervenida mediante dicho abordaje. Todos los pacientes fueron intervenidos exclusivamente por 5 neurocirujanos entrenados en cirugía de columna.

Resultados

Un total de 86 pacientes fueron intervenidos entre junio de 1999 y diciembre de 2015 (mediana de edad 42años y nivel más frecuente L1). El 32,5% presentaban defecto neurológico preoperatorio. Tras la intervención (duración media: 275min), el 75,6% quedaron sin secuelas neurológicas y solo un tercio de pacientes precisó transfusión. La estancia media postoperatoria fue de 7días. La corrección de la cifosis se consideró correcta y subóptima pero aceptable en el 91 y el 9% de los casos, respectivamente. Ocurrieron complicaciones en 36 pacientes, la gran mayoría transitorias. Se constataron 2 fallos de material (colapso de caja expansible y extrusión de tornillo de bloqueo). No ocurrieron infecciones, lesiones vasculares, lesiones viscerales, empeoramiento neurológico permanente ni mortalidad durante el ingreso. Un paciente precisó estabilización posterior tardía por persistencia del dolor. El seguimiento mediano fue de 252días (27,9% pérdidas).

Conclusiones

El abordaje extrapleural-extraperitoneal proporciona una estabilización anterior sólida, permite una amplia descompresión del canal y una corrección adecuada y duradera de la cifosis. Las tasas de infección, fallo del material, necesidad de reoperación y lesiones vasculares o viscerales son mínimas.

Palabras clave:
Fractura toracolumbar
TLICSS
Abordaje extrapleural
Abordaje anterior
Cifosis
Complicaciones

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