Kyphotic deformity correction of different operative approaches in patients with thoracolumbar burst fractures: a meta-analysis

Background: As a common traumatic disease in spine surgery, thoracolumbar burst fractures (TLBF) often leads to complications such as back pain, kyphotic deformity and nerve damage, causing severe physical defects and economic burden on patients. Objective: To explore kyphotic deformity correction of different operative approaches for TLBF. Design of research: Systematic review and meta-analysis are utilized to compare the efficacy of different approaches for postoperative kyphotic deformity in TLBF patients. Methods: English documents that discussed TLBF with different operative approaches were searched from various databases. The obtained documents were screened and evaluated. Results: The comparison and analysis of preoperative Cobb angle, early-postoperative Cobb angle correction, and follow-up Cobb angle correction between the anterior and posterior approach groups showed no statistical significance [MD=0.97, 95% CI (-0.44, 2.38), P=0.18; MD=0.25, 95% CI (-0.04, 0.54), P=0.10; MD=-0.12, 95% CI (-0.44, 0.19), P=0.45]. Conclusion: While treating TLBF symptoms, both the anterior and posterior approaches were effective in correcting postoperative kyphosis deformity. Therefore, while determining a treatment method, the age and the tolerance to the surgery of each patient should be considered for the surgical treatment options. This study provides new ideas for clinical treatment of TLBF in the future.