SPINAL-CANAL REMODELING IN BURST FRACTURES OF THE THORACOLUMBAR SPINE- A COMPUTERIZED TOMOGRAPHIC COMPARISON BETWEEN OPERATIVE AND NONOPERATIVE TREATMENT

Operative and nonoperative treatment methods of burst fractures were c ompared regarding canal remodeling. The entire series consisted of 18 patients, with seven in the operative treatment group and 11 in the no noperative treatment group. All fractures were studied with computed t omography (CT) at the postoperative (operative treatment group) or pos tinjury (nonoperative treatment group) and the latest follow-up. All p atients were followed up for greater than or equal to 18 months. There was no statistical difference between postoperative and postinjury ca nal areas (p = 0.0859). However, a significant difference was found be tween the rates of remodeling (p = 0.0059). Although spinal canal remo deling occurred in both groups, the resorption of retropulsed fragment s was less favorable in nonoperative treatment group.