The effect of the size of pedicle screw on the long-term radiological and clinical results of short-segment posterior instrumentation in the management of thoracolumbar vertebral fractures

This study investigates how the size of screws used in surgery for spine fractures affects long-term results. Specifically, it looks at screws placed in the fractured vertebra during a procedure called short-segment posterior instrumentation. The study compares patients who received smaller screws to those who received larger screws. The researchers assessed clinical and radiological outcomes to see if screw size influenced the healing and stability of the spine. The findings suggest that while larger screws may help preserve the height of the back part of the vertebra, the size of the screw doesn't significantly impact the overall correction and stability achieved after surgery.

• 1
  Using a long, thick pedicle screw placed in the fractured vertebra can better preserve the PBH at the final follow-up.
• 2
  No correlation was found between the size of the intermediate screw and the preservation of the correction in the postoperative vertebral heights and VCA during the follow-up.
• 3
  A short and thin pedicular screw in a fractured vertebra in short-segment posterior fixation provides radiological outcomes comparable with a long and thick pedicular screw.