Benjamin Bouyer, Matthieu Vassal, Mickael Grelat, H. Giorgi, Nicolas Lonjon, Cyril Dauzac, Guillaume Lonjon, Alexandre Dhenin, Arnaud Dubory, A. Walter, Fahed Zairi, Herrada, Anthony, Service de Chirurgie Orthopédique et Traumatologique [CHU Pitié-Salpêtrière], CHU Pitié-Salpêtrière [AP-HP], Assistance publique - Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP) (AP-HP)-Sorbonne Université (SU)-Assistance publique - Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP) (AP-HP)-Sorbonne Université (SU), Service de Neurochirurgie [Montpellier], Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire [Montpellier] (CHRU Montpellier)-CHU Gui de Chauliac [Montpellier], Département de Neurochirurgie[Lille], Université de Lille, Droit et Santé-Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire [Lille] (CHRU Lille), CHU Bordeaux [Bordeaux], Service de neurochirurgie [CHU de Dijon], Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Dijon - Hôpital François Mitterrand (CHU Dijon), Hôpital Bicêtre, Université Paris-Sud - Paris 11 (UP11)-Assistance publique - Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP) (AP-HP)-Hôpital Bicêtre, Hôpital de la Conception [CHU - APHM] (LA CONCEPTION), CHU Strasbourg, Service de chirurgie orthopédique, Assistance publique - Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP) (AP-HP)-Hôpital Raymond Poincaré [AP-HP], Hôpital Beaujon, Assistance publique - Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP) (AP-HP)-Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 (UPD7)-Hôpital Beaujon [AP-HP], Assistance publique - Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP) (AP-HP), Institut des Neurosciences de Montpellier (INM), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM)-Université de Montpellier (UM), Sorbonne Université (SU)-Assistance publique - Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP) (AP-HP)-Sorbonne Université (SU)-Assistance publique - Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP) (AP-HP), Hôpital Beaujon [AP-HP], Assistance publique - Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP) (AP-HP)-Assistance publique - Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP) (AP-HP)-Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 (UPD7), Institut des Neurosciences de Montpellier - Déficits sensoriels et moteurs (INM), and Service de chirurgie orthopédique et traumatologique [CHU Pitié-Salpêtrière]
Introduction Recent epidemiological data for spinal trauma in France are sparse. However, increased knowledge of sagittal balance and the development of minimally invasive techniques have greatly improved surgical management. Objectives To describe the epidemiology and management of traumatic vertebral fracture, and to analyze evolution and risk factors for poor functional outcome at 1 year's follow-up. Materials and methods A prospective multicenter French cohort study was performed over a 6-month period in 2011, including all cases of vertebral fracture surgery. Data were collected by online questionnaire over the Internet. Demographic characteristics, lesion type and surgical procedures were collected. Clinical, functional and radiological assessment was carried out at 1 year. Results Five hundred and eighteen patients, with a mean age of 47 years, were included. Sixty-seven percent of fractures involved the thoracic or lumbar segment. Thirty percent of patients had multiple fractures and 28% neurological impairment. A minimally invasive technique was performed in 20% of cases and neurological decompression in 25%. Dural tear was observed in 42 patients (8%). Seventy percent of patients were followed up at 1 year. Functionally, SF-36 scores decreased on all dimensions, significantly associated with age, persistent neurological deficit and previous spine imbalance. Thirty-eight percent of working patients had returned to work. Radiologically, sagittal balance was good in 74% of cases, with fracture consolidation in 70%. Discussion Despite progress in management, spinal trauma was still a source of significant morbidity in 2011, with pronounced decrease in quality of life. Conserved sagittal balance appeared to be associated with better functional outcome.