Percutaneous Instrumentation and Reduction Technique for the Treatment of Thoracolumbar Fractures: A Case Report

Abstract

Minimally invasive spine surgery suffered a sustained development in the last 15 years. One of its main goals is to achieve the same results as conventional surgery with less blood loss, muscle damage, infection rate, and hospital stay. Surgical management of thoracolumbar fractures aims to correct sagittal deformities and provide a stable and durable fixation. This article describes a new percutaneous method of thoracolumbar fracture reduction based on the 6-screw construct, which promotes an indirect reduction of the fractured vertebrae with lordotic rods connected with 4 long monoaxial percutaneous pedicle screws in the fractured and upper adjacent vertebrae. The vertebra below the fractured one is instrumented with polyaxial screws to facilitate the introduction of the lordotic rods. The postoperative radiography and computed tomography imaging results show that this technique is able to correct posttraumatic kyphosis and provide a solid and durable construct.