Abstract

Open posterior instrumentation is still the standard procedure for unstable traumatic thoracic and lumbar fractures. There is a general tendency towards minimally invasive approaches in various surgical disciplines. The Sextant™ II Rod Insertion system is one of these. The authors prospectively studied this system in 51 patients with thoracic and lumbar fractures, between October 2007 and January 2011. Most fractures (31/51) were situated at the lumbar level. In 7 older patients the technique was combined with kyphoplasty and/or cement augmentation of the pedicle screws. The median operative time was 61 minutes (range : 26-130). The median fluoroscopy time was 132 seconds (range : 24-414). Most pedicle screws were correctly placed : 197 out of 204 screws. All fractures showed bony union after 6 weeks, but the multiaxial pedicle screws were not able to conserve the slight correction obtained peroperatively via positioning and longitudinal traction. Percutaneous minimally invasive stabilization of the spine needs further improvement.