SynthesisPloS one2013
Fusion versus nonfusion for surgically treated thoracolumbar burst fractures: a meta-analysis.
Synthesis in PloS one, 2013. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 23 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
23 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 54 citations in OpenAlex.
- Percutaneous versus traditional and paraspinal posterior open approaches for treatment of thoracolumbar fractures without neurologic deficit: a meta-analysis.European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society · 2017Pooled it
- Percutaneous versus open pedicle screw fixation for treatment of type A thoracolumbar fractures.European journal of trauma and emergency surgery : official publication of the European Trauma Society · 2020Trial
- Clinical and Radiological Efficacy of Short-SegmentKorean journal of neurotrauma · 2025Article
- Comparative Radiologic and Morphologic Analysis of Posterolateral Fusion and Percutaneous Pedicle Screw Fixation for Thoracolumbar Junction Burst Fractures.Journal of clinical medicine · 2025Article
- Instrumentation-Related Complications Following Nonfusion Posterior Fixation in Patients with Metastatic Spinal Tumors: Incidence and Risk Factors.Journal of clinical medicine · 2025Article
- Minimally Invasive Lateral Thoracic and Lumbar Interbody Fusion with Expandable Interbody Spacers for Spine Trauma-Indications, Complications and Outcomes.Journal of clinical medicine · 2025Article
- Lateral lumbar and thoracic interbody fusion (LLIF) for thoracolumbar spine trauma (Trauma LLIF): A single-center, retrospective observational cohort study.North American Spine Society journal · 2024Article
- The Necessity of Implant Removal after Fixation of Thoracolumbar Burst Fractures-A Systematic Review.Journal of clinical medicine · 2023Review
- [Clinical study of Wiltse approach with fulcrum reduction technique in the treatment of AO-A type thoracolumbar fractures].Zhongguo xiu fu chong jian wai ke za zhi = Zhongguo xiufu chongjian waike zazhi = Chinese journal of reparative and reconstructive surgery · 2022Article
- Vacuum phenomenon as a predictor of kyphosis after implant removal following posterior pedicle screw fixation without fusion for thoracolumbar burst fracture: a single-center retrospective study.BMC musculoskeletal disorders · 2022Article
- Is It Necessary to Remove the Implants After Fixation of Thoracolumbar and Lumbar Burst Fractures Without Fusion? A Retrospective Cohort Study of Elderly Patients.Frontiers in surgery · 2022Article
- Posterior Ligamentous Complex Injuries of the Thoracolumbar Spine: Importance and Surgical Implications.Cureus · 2021Review
- Radiographic Evaluation of Minimally Invasive Instrumentation and Fusion for Treating Unstable Spinal Column Injuries.Global spine journal · 2020Article
- Open versus minimally invasive percutaneous surgery for surgical treatment of thoracolumbar spine fractures- a multicenter randomized controlled trial: study protocol.BMC musculoskeletal disorders · 2019Article
- Observational
- Minimal invasive nonfusion technique for the treatment of noncontiguous lumbar burst fractures in young age patient: A case report.Medicine · 2018Article
- Instrumented Spinal Stabilization without Fusion for Spinal Metastatic Disease.World neurosurgery · 2018Article
- Does Operative or Nonoperative Treatment Achieve Better Results in A3 and A4 Spinal Fractures Without Neurological Deficit?: Systematic Literature Review With Meta-Analysis.Global spine journal · 2017Review
- Temporary stabilization of unstable spine fractures.Current reviews in musculoskeletal medicine · 2017Review
- Percutaneous vertebral augmentation with polyethylene mesh and allograft bone for traumatic thoracolumbar fractures.Advances in orthopedics · 2015Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
6 authors at 3 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundPosterior pedicle screw fixation has become a popular method for treating thoracolumbar burst fractures. However, it remains unclear whether additional fusion could improve clinical and radiological outcomes. This meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of fusion as a supplement to pedicle screw fixation for thoracolumbar burst fractures. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL
findingsMEDLINE, OVID, Springer, and Google Scholar were searched for relevant randomized and quasi-randomized controlled trials that compared the clinical and radiological efficacy of fusion versus nonfusion for thoracolumbar burst fractures managed by posterior pedicle screw fixation. Risk of bias in included studies was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. We generated pooled risk ratios or weighted mean differences across studies. Based on predefined inclusion criteria, 4 eligible trials with a total of 220 patients were included in this meta-analysis. The mean age of the patients was 35.1 years. 96.8% of the fractures were located at T12 to L1 level. Baseline characteristics were similar between the fusion and nonfusion groups. No significant difference was identified between the two groups regarding radiological outcome, functional outcome, neurologic improvement, and implant failure rate. The pooled data showed that the nonfusion group was associated with significantly reduced operative time (p<0.0001) and blood loss (p = 0.0003). CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCES: The results of this meta-analysis suggested that fusion was not necessary when thoracolumbar burst fracture was treated by posterior pedicle screw fixation. More randomized controlled trials with high quality are still needed in the future.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.