The role of fusion in the management of burst fractures of the thoracolumbar spine treated by short segment pedicle screw fixation: a prospective randomised trial

50 patients with burst fractures of the thoracolumbar spine were randomized to receive posterior short segment pedicle screw fixation with posterior fusion or short segment pedicle screw fixation alone. Over a mean follow up of 23.9 months, the two groups did not differ significantly with respect to neurological, radiological or functional outcomes. However, the fusion group required a greater amount of perioperative blood transfusion and also had a longer mean operation time than the control group. The addition of posterior fusion therefore does not seem to have any advantage over short segment pedicle screw fixation alone.