Awake Percutaneous Fixation for Unstable Fractures of the Spine in High-risk Patients: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Introduction: Unstable fractures in sick or elderly patients are on the rise. These patients who are at high risk for surgery present a challenge for surgeons and anesthesiologists. In patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) scores 3 to 4, the risk is even higher because of the high rate of intraoperative complications. Methods: All patients with ASA scores 3 to 4 who presented with unstable fractures of the spine to a level-one trauma center were assessed, and they underwent awake spinal percutaneous fixation, with mild sedation and local anesthesia. Demographics, radiology, and the outcome were collected. Results: Nineteen patients were operated between the years 2019 and 2021. Average follow-up was 12 months (range 8 to 24 months); six patients were female and 13 males. The average age was 77.7 years; the ASA score was 3 to 4 in all patients. There were 10 extensiontype injuries, six unstable burst injuries, two chance fractures, and one teardrop fracture. All patients underwent unilateral fixation, and just one patient underwent bilateral fixation; cement augmentation was done in 16 of the patients. No neurologic complication was observed. One case of infection presented 4 months after surgery. All patients were discharged ambulating. Conclusions: Awake fixation in extreme cases is safe and feasible; a dedicated team including an anesthesiologist and radiologist is needed to treat these cases safely and quickly. Unstable vertebral fractures can be divided into two subgroups. The first subgroup is often seen in the young population and occurs after high-energy trauma such as MVAs or fall from height, and the second subgroup includes elderly patients; most of these fractures occur as a result of low-energy trauma such as a fall from own height and tend to be unstable because of their association with the rigid osteoporotic elderly spine, which is prone to instability.