Satisfactory 2-year outcome of minimal invasive hybrid stabilization with double treated screws for unstable osteoporotic spinal fractures

This study evaluates whether the fracture level alters the outcomes of minimally invasive hybrid stabilization (MIHS) with double-threaded, uncemented polyaxial screws for unstable osteoporotic vertebral fractures.

This prospective cohort study included 73 patients (71.23% females, mean age: 79.9 ± 8.8 years) with unstable OF 3–4 fractures treated by MIHS between Nov 2015-Jan 2018. Patient characteristics, operative data, clinical outcomes, complications, radiological outcomes, and midterm (24-month) follow-up regarding functionality, pain, and quality of life were analyzed.

Patients had thoracolumbar (71.23%), thoracic (10.97%), and lumbar (17.8%) fractures. Operative time was < 120 min in 73.97% of patients, with blood loss < 500 ml in 97.25% of cases. No in-hospital mortality was recorded. Spine-associated complications occurred in 15.07% of patients, while 36.98% of patients had urinary tract infections (n = 12), pneumonia (n = 5), and electrolyte disturbances (n = 9). The mean length of hospital stay was 13.38 ± 7.20 days. Clinically-relevant screw loosening occurred in 1.7% of screws, and secondary adjacent fractures were diagnosed in 5.48% of patients. The alpha-angle improved significantly postoperatively (mean change: 5.4°) and remained stable for 24 months. The beta-angle improved significantly from 16.3° ± 7.5 to 10.8° ± 5.6 postoperatively but increased slightly to 14.1° ± 6.2 at midterm follow-up. Although no differences were seen regarding baseline data, clinical outcomes, and complications, fracture level significantly altered the COMI score at 24 months with no effect on pain score or quality-of-life.

MIHS using polyaxial screws is a safe treatment for single-level osteoporotic spinal fractures. Fracture level did not alter radiological reduction loss; however, it significantly altered patients’ function at 24 months.