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Open Access 01-12-2021 | Research article

Radiological and mid- to long-term patient-reported outcome after stabilization of traumatic thoraco-lumbar spinal fractures using an expandable vertebral body replacement implant

Authors: Siegmund Lang, Carsten Neumann, Christina Schwaiger, Andreas Voss, Volker Alt, Markus Loibl, Maximilian Kerschbaum

Published in: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Background

For the treatment of unstable thoraco-lumbar burst fractures, a combined posterior and anterior stabilization instead of a posterior-only instrumentation is recommend in the current literature due to the instability of the anterior column. Data on restoring the bi-segmental kyphotic endplate angle (BKA) with expandable vertebral body replacements (VBR) and on the mid- to long-term patient-reported outcome measures (PROM) is sparse.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study of patients with traumatic thoraco-lumbar spinal fractures treated with an expandable VBR implant (Obelisc™, Ulrich Medical, Germany) between 2001 and 2015 was conducted. Patient and treatment characteristics were evaluated retrospectively. Radiological data acquisition was completed pre- and postoperatively, 6 months and at least 2 years after the VBR surgery. The BKA was measured and fusion-rates were assessed. The SF-36, EQ-5D and ODI questionnaires were evaluated prospectively.

Results

Ninety-six patients (25 female, 71 male; age: 46.1 ± 12.8 years) were included in the study. An AO Type A4 fracture was seen in 80/96 cases (83.3%). Seventy-three fractures (76.0%) were located at the lumbar spine. Intraoperative reduction of the BKA in n = 96 patients was 10.5 ± 9.4° (p < 0.01). A loss of correction of 1.0 ± 2.8° at the first follow-up (t1) and of 2.4 ± 4.0° at the second follow-up (t2) was measured (each p < 0.05). The bony fusion rate was 97.9%. The total revision rate was 4.2%. Fifty-one patients (53.1% of included patients; age: 48.9 ± 12.4 years) completed the PROM questionnaires after 106.4 ± 44.3 months and therefore were assigned to the respondent group. The mean ODI score was 28.2 ± 18.3%, the mean EQ-5D VAS reached 60.7 ± 4.1 points. Stratified SF-36 results (ISS < and ≥ 16) were lower compared to a reference population.

Conclusion

The treatment of traumatic thoraco-lumbar fractures with an expandable VBR implant lead to a high rate of bony fusion. A significant correction of the BKA could be achieved and no clinically relevant loss of reduction occurred during the follow-up. Even though health related quality of life did not reach the normative population values, overall satisfactory results were reported.

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Title: Radiological and mid- to long-term patient-reported outcome after stabilization of traumatic thoraco-lumbar spinal fractures using an expandable vertebral body replacement implant
Authors: Siegmund Lang
Carsten Neumann
Christina Schwaiger
Andreas Voss
Volker Alt
Markus Loibl
Maximilian Kerschbaum
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2474
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-021-04585-y

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Radiological and mid- to long-term patient-reported outcome after stabilization of traumatic thoraco-lumbar spinal fractures using an expandable vertebral body replacement implant

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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