Efficacy and safety of conservative treatment in patients with neurologically intact thoracolumbar burst fractures: a meta-analysis

Objective. To conduct a meta-analysis of studies focused on the conservative treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures, and to determine the efficacy and safety of this method in the observed group of patients.
Material and Methods. The study was performed following PRISMA guidelines. Inclusion criteria for meta-analysis were as follows: availability of full-text version of the article in English or Russian; A3 or A4 type fractures according to the AOSpine classification, or burst fractures of types IIA, IIB or IIC according to the Denis classification, or a direct indication of the presence of a burst fracture without its classification; absence of neurological deficit; age over 18 years; detailed description of treatment outcomes or complications; and a follow-up for at least one year.
Results. The meta-analysis included 29 articles describing the results of treatment of 1107 patients. At the time of admission, the following radiographic parameters were calculated for patients: mean kyphotic angle, 13.6 (95 % CI, 10.8–16.5), degree of vertebral body compression, 39.9 % (95 % CI, 27.7–52.0), and the degree of compression of the spinal canal lumen, 41.7 % (95 % CI, 29.2–54.2). A follow-up examination revealed a significant increase in segmental kyphosis by 3%, in vertebral body compression by 3.7 %, and lysis of bone fragments with a decrease in the degree of spinal canal stenosis by 2 times. The incidence of neurological deficit and progression of thoracic and lumbar spine instability was 5.8 % (95 % CI, 4.1–8.1) and 6.5 % (95 % CI, 4.5–9.3), respectively. Recovery of work ability according to Denis scale was as follows: W1 and W2 – 74.7 % (95 % CI, 63.9–83.1); W3 – 14.1 % (95 % CI, 10.2–19.3); and W4 and W5 – 14.8 % (95 % CI, 8.8–23.9).
Conclusion. Conservative treatment of neurologically intact thoracolumbar burst fractures can be an effective and safe option if the angular deformity does not exceed 16 degrees and the anterior vertebral body compression rate is up to 52 %. With conservative therapy, a twofold reduction in spinal canal stenosis was observed due to the lysis of bone fragments. The pooled prevalence of radiculopathy or myelopathy with conservative therapy was 5.8 %. Orthopedic intervention due to the progression of instability of the damaged segment may be required in 6.5 % of patients. More than 90 % of patients returned to full-time work following conservative therapy. Comparative studies
on the effectiveness of conservative therapy versus surgical treatment should be continued to form clear recommendations for the choice of treatment tactics for patients with uncomplicated fractures of the thoracic and lumbar spine.

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