ObjectiveTo explore the application effects of percutaneous endplate reduction screw technique in percutaneous internal fixation of type A3 thoracolumbar fractures.

MethodsSixty-six patients with type A3 thoracolumbar fractures complicated with severe endplate collapse were randomly divided into the control group and observation group.The control group was treated with the percutaneous short-segment fixation, and the observation group was treated with percutaneous endplate reduction screw technique combined with short-segment fixation.Two groups were followed up for 2-4 years, the perioperative surgical indicators and following up complications, visual analogue scale(VAS) pain score, ratio of height in the middle and anterior edge of injured vertebra, and Cobb angle of kyphosis before operation, after 7 days of operation and at the last following up were compared between two groups.

ResultsThere was no statistical significance in the operation time, intraoperative blood loss, length of hospital stays and incidence rate of postoperative complications between two groups(P>0.05).Compared with before operation, the kyphotic Cobb angle and VAS scores in two groups decreased, and the height ratios of the middle and anterior edge of injured vertebra increased after 7 days of operation and at the last following up(P < 0.05 to P < 0.01).There was no statistical significance in preoperative indexes between two groups(P>0.05).The height of middle of injured vertebra in the observation group after 7 days of operation was higher(P < 0.01), and the kyphotic Cobb Angle was lower in the observation group at the last following up(P < 0.01).

ConclusionsThe percutaneous endplate reduction screw technique can effectively reduce the central endplate collapse in the percutaneous fixation of type A3 thoracolumbar fractures complicated with severe endplate collapse, and reduce the loss of postoperative kyphosis Cobb angle and height of the middle injured vertebra.