A previously healthy 46-year-old man presented to a level 1 trauma center with polytraumatic injuries, including a unilateral right L5 pedicle fracture with a contralateral L5 lamina fracture. He was taken to the operating room for fixation of the L5 pedicle fracture using a 6.5 mm partially threaded screw. He tolerated the procedure well, and at 12 months postoperatively he reported no back pain, had returned to work and resumed all activities. The authors conclude that fixation of a unilateral pedicle fracture with a partially threaded screw is safe, effective, and minimally invasive. It should be considered a viable treatment option after a thorough workup and when properly indicated.
Mir et al. (Thu,) studied this question.