Clinical and radiological evaluation of thoracic spine fractures with or without sternal fracture: is there a need for ventral stabilization?

Objective: The treatment of thoracic spine (TS) fractures with additional sternal fractures compared to TS fractures without sternal fractures is discussed controversionally, because in some studies it was stated that sternal fractures decrease the thoracic stability. We hypothesized that both types of fractures can be treated the same way by posterior stabilization alone.

Methods: A total number of 69 patients with thoracic fractures, with or without additional sternal fractures, were examined, regarding the angle of kyphosis after fracture, postoperatively and after 6 and 12 months. We also recorded the outcome using the Odom's score and the time until patients returned to work and the activity level.

Results: It was found that the angle of kyphosis was nearly physiological after stabilization in both groups and a loss of reduction after 1 year was also comparable, either in the patients suffering from the additional sternal fracture or not. In addition, the Odom's score and the time until return to work and the activity level were comparable in both groups.

Conclusion: We did not find any arguments to preserve additional anterior stabilization or reasons for different treatment strategies either additional sternal fractures occur in thoracic spine fractures or not.