Background. Uncertainties remain regarding the optimal surgical approach (anterior or posterior) in the treatment of traumatic thoracolumbar burst fractures. We aim to compare the surgical, radiological and functional outcomes in anterior versus posterior approaches in adult patients with traumatic thoracolumbar burst fractures deemed appropriate for surgical management. Methods. A systematic review using five electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, Google scholar, Cochrane Database) and adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines was performed. The authors reviewed comparative studies evaluating anterior versus posterior approaches in terms of clinical, surgical, radiographic and functional patient outcomes. Qualitative analysis was performed. Where suitable, meta-analysis was performed to compute pooled estimates of the differences between anterior and posterior approaches. Results. A total of six studies (three observational, one prospective non-randomized trial, two randomized controlled trials) were included. There were no cases of neurological decline postoperatively regardless of approach. Meta-analysis demonstrates a longer duration (Mean Difference (MD) +81.68, 95% CI 39.20 to 123.16, p <0.001) and increased estimated blood loss (MD+ 426.27, 95% CI 119.84 to 732.70, p = 0.006) for the anterior as compared to the posterior approach. No difference between approaches was found with regards to length of hospital stay, late postoperative kyphotic angle, construct failure rate, instrumentation revision rate, rate of return to work, and total hospital charges. Limitations include heterogeneity across studies and inclusion of both neurologically-intact and non-intact patients. Conclusion. Considering the similarities in neurological, radiological and functional outcomes between the anterior and posterior approaches, the longer duration and estimated blood loss in the anterior approach should be a point of consideration when selecting the surgical approach undertaken. To advance current evidence, future studies should compare the anterior and posterior approaches in non-intact patients with traumatic thoracolumbar burst fractures. Level of Evidence: Level III systematic review and meta-analyses