ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the newly combined anterior platerod system in treatment of acute thoracolumbar burst fracture combined with neurologic deficit.Methods A retrospective study was carried out on 84 consecutive patients with acute thoracolumbar burst fracture combined with neurologic deficits treated by anterior surgery,bone fusion,and internal fixation with the new plate-rod system.There were 61 males and 23 females with a mean age of 31.4 years (range,19-53 years).Primary pathogenesis was high falls in 67 patients,traffic accidents in 13 patients and others in 4 patients.Fractured segments included T11 in 19 patients,T12 in 22,L1 in 25,and L2 in 18.Visual analogue scale (VAS),spinal canal encroachment,and loss of kyphosis correction were measured for all patients to evaluate radiologic and neurological outcomes.Results Bony union occurred in all patients at the 3-5 months of follow-up.There was no pseudarthrosis or vascular complications related to the fixation device.Percentage of canal encroachment decreased from preoperative 70％ to postoperative 2％.Mean segmental kyphotic angle measured 27.9 ° before operation and 7.4 ° after operation,with a mean correction of 20.5°.All patients demonstrated at least one grade of neurological improvement at final follow-up.Mean VAS was improved significantly from preoperative 7.3 points to postoperative 2.9 points.Conclusion The new anterior plate-rod system is safe and effective in treatment of acute thoracolumbar burst fracture combined with neurologic deficit.