The role of fusion in the management of burst fractures of the thoracolumbar spine treated by short segment pedicle screw fixation

This report has been verified by one or more authors of the original publication.

50 patients with burst fractures of the thoracolumbar spine were randomized to receive a short segment pedicle screw fixation with or without fusion. Throughout the course of the study, functional, neurological, and radiological outcomes were assessed, in order to determine whether fusion of the affected area, along with the standard screw fixation, resulted in reduced post-surgical morbidity. By the end of the 18 to 30 month study, study determined that there was no significant clinical or radiological differences between the two groups, which suggests that fusion is unnecessary in patients with burst fractures of the thoracolumbar spine, when undergoing treatment with a short segment pedicle screw fixation.