3-h drain clamping is not effective to reduce total blood loss after primary total knowledge

Purpose@#Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a clinically efficacious surgical option for end-stage knee osteoarthritis.However, TKA increases the risk of serious bleeding and blood transfusion. The objective of this study was to evaluate the difference in postoperative blood loss in groups subjected to 3 h of clamping and non-clamping and determine the variations in rate and amount of transfusion after TKA between the two groups. @*Materials and methods@#Propensity score matching of the group subjected to 3-h drain clamping (43 patients;September 2015 to April 2016) and the control group (43 patients; before initiating the clamping method) was performed in patients undergoing unilateral primary posterior stabilized TKA. The two groups were compared. We measured the total drained blood volume until the drain was removed 48 h after surgery, and we compared the preoperative levels of hemoglobin and hematocrit with levels observed on days 1 and 2 after surgery. We also determined the blood transfusion rate and volume as well as the occurrence of clamping-associated complications. @*Results@#In the group subjected to 3-h drain clamping, the mean volume of total drained blood was significantly lower than in the control group (333.8 ± 190.2 mL vs. 839.9 ± 339.8 mL, P <0.001). There was no significant difference in total blood loss between the two groups (1226.9 ± 488.1 mL vs. 1127.1 ± 424.5 mL,P = 0.315), but the hidden blood loss was significantly higher in the 3-h drain clamping group than in the control group (893.1 ± 487.7 mL vs.294.7 ± 531.8 mL, P <0.001). Both the transfusion rate and amount in the 3-h drain clamped group were higher than in the control group but were not statistically significant (30.2% vs. 37.2%, P = 0.494 and 269.8 ± 483.8 mL vs.316.3 ± 158.2 mL,P = 0.648, respectively). No significant differences in complications, including deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary thromboembolism, and oozing, were noted between the two groups (all,P = 1.000). @*Conclusions@#The 3-h drain clamping method after primary TKA using posterior stabilized implant reduced the loss of postoperative drained blood. However, hidden blood loss was significantly higher in the 3-h drain clamping group; as a result, there were no differences in total blood loss and transfusion rate. The clamping method did not significantly alter the complication rate.

Letter: Repeated Metal Breakage in a Femoral Shaft Fracture with Lateral Bowing: A Case Report

No abstract available.

Pelvis Insufficiency Fracture after Total Knee Arthroplasty / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Pelvic insufficiency fracture is a very rare complication after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This fracture occurs in elderly osteoporotic patients, spontaneously or after minor trauma, and its diagnosis can be difficult unless there is a high degree of clinical suspicion. The consequence of missed pelvic insufficiency fracture can be profound: this fracture may progress into an unstable fracture that leads to significant disability. Bone scans assist in the early diagnosis of this fracture. We present a case of osteoporotic pelvic insufficiency fracture after bilateral TKA. A 76 year-old female underwent bilateral TKA for advanced osteoarthritis in her both knees. She also had osteoporosis, and thus we filled an oral bisphosphonate (weekly Risedronate) prescription. Nine months after TKAs, she presented with significant pain around the left buttock and inguinal area without specific trauma. With the use of plain radiographs and a bone scan, a pelvic insufficiency fracture was detected. We successfully treated the patient with conservative management including rest with a pelvic strap, and continued medication for osteoporosis.

Disocid Medial Meniscus: 2 Case Reports (J Korean Orthop Assoc. 2001;36:385-8) / 대한정형외과학회잡지

No abstract available.

Factors Affecting Patients' Graft Choice in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

BACKGROUND: Multiple studies have reported that allografts are acceptable alternatives to autografts for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructions. Our clinical practice allows patient involvement in graft decision-making. This study examined the patients' preference for graft selection and the factors affecting their decision. METHODS: Patients scheduled to undergo an ACL reconstruction surgery (n = 129) at a university medical center in Korea were enrolled in this study. Information leaflets with graft descriptions were provided prior to hospital admission, and the patients were allowed to choose one of two surgical graft types. The patients were asked to complete a questionnaire that reflected their decision-making processes, and the patients' trends and factors affecting their choice of graft were analyzed based on their responses. RESULTS: Most patients (54.3%) selected autografts for the ACL reconstruction. The surgeon's explanation was the most important factor affecting the final patient decision followed by the information derived from Internet searches. Patients who derived the majority of their understanding of the graft types from the Internet chose allografts at significantly higher rates. CONCLUSIONS: Patient graft selection is a reasonable way of designating the type of surgical procedure. Most patients selected autografts for their ACL reconstruction. However, patients who performed significant Internet-based research tended to prefer allografts.

Irreducible Posterolateral Dislocation of the Knee Joint with Lateral Dislocation of the Patella: A Report of Two Cases

Reduction of the knee is impossible if the medial femoral condyle is caught in the medial soft tissue while posterolateral dislocation of the knee happens. Irreducible posterolateral dislocation with buttonholing of the medial femoral condyle through the torn vastus medialis muscle has rarely been reported. Furthermore, such a case associated with patella lateral dislocation has very seldom been reported. We report here on 2 such cases that were treated with open reduction.

The Immediately Postoperative Changes of Creatine Phosphokinase After Microendoscopic Discectomy / 대한척추외과학회지

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study OBJECTIVES: To evaluate postoperative muscle damage after microendoscopic discectomy (MED) and open discectomy (OD), using analysis of serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK) levels. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Paravertebral muscle damage after retraction during posterior lumbar surgery can cause postoperative back pain. Serum CPK level is elevated in these patients and may indicate postoperative muscle damage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined 35 cases with MED (group 1) and 11 cases with OD (group 2). Serum CPK levels were checked preoperatively and postoperatively at day 1 and day 3. We analyzed intra-group and inter-group differences in CPK levels according to sex, age, and operation time. Surgical outcomes were evaluated with a visual analog scale (VAS) preoperatively and 1 year postoperatively. RESULTS: CPK levels at postoperative 1 day were increased significantly and decreased significantly at postoperative 3 day in both groups (p<0.05), with levels in group 1 significantly lower than in group 2 (p<0.05). There were no differences in CPK levels according to sex, age, or operation time, except between the 3rd and 5th decades of age at postoperative 1 day in group 2. VAS was significantly different in intra-group analysis (p<0.05) with no significant differences in intergroup analysis. CONCLUSIONS: MED induced a lower increase in serum CPK than OD with similar VAS outcomes. MED results in less postoperative muscle damage than OD, with similar surgical outcomes.

Arthroscopic Treatment of Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis of the Knee / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of arthroscopic synovectomy through the direct posterior-posterior approach in pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) of the knee. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 1997 and May 2004, twenty-one patients underwent an arthroscopic synovectomy for PVNS of knee. The mean follow-up period was 35 months. The arthroscopic and MRI findings revealed the localized form of PVNS in six patients and the diffuse form in fifteen patients. All patients underwent an arthroscopic examination and synovectomy through the direct posterior-posterior approach. The clinical results were evaluated by the range of motion, Lysholm knee score, and the knee pain score using the visual analogue scale (minimum 0-maximum 10). RESULTS: Among the fifteen cases with the diffuse form, three cases (14%) recurred and had secondary arthroscopic total synovectomy. One cases recurred again. Therefore, radiation therapy was performed. The Lysholm knee score improved from 62.5 to 87.3, and the VAS score improved from 5.9 to 1.8. Three patients had a mild limitation in knee motion. However, the others had full range of motion of the knee at the last follow-up. CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic synovectomy through the direct posterior-posterior approach could be a useful method for the treatment of PVNS of the knee, and can be used as an effective therapeutic tool particularly in posteromedial or posterolateral lesions.

Epidemiologic Study and Analysis of Serum Markers for Osteonecrosis of Professional Divers

Purpose: To evaluate the risk factors for the development of osteonecrosis in civilian professional divers by an epidemiologic study and to determine the correlation between osteonecrosis in divers and coagulopathy by analysis of serologic markers that are related to thrombophilia and hypofibrinolysis. Materials and Methods: Forty-two divers, who collected pen shells (Atrina pinnata), and among whom 10 had osteonecrosis (group 1), were compared with 32 divers without osteonecrosis (group 2). Both groups were evaluated based on the number of years of diving experience, number of dives per year, mean number of dives per day, mean diving time and depth, and diving methods. We determined any statistically significant differences among these variables. We measured the levels of serologic markers that were related to hyperlipidemia, thrombophilia, and hypofibrinolysis from the divers and a control group of 20 physicians (group 3). The levels of the serologic markers were compared between groups 1 and 2 and between the divers and the control group, in order to determine the relationship between the serologic markers and the development of dysbaric osteonecrosis. Results: None of the variables demonstrated any statistically significant differences, except for the mean diving time, in which group 1 had a mean diving time of 124 minutes and group 2 had a mean diving time of 62.1 minutes (P<0.05). In the analysis of the serologic markers, there were no statistically significant differences between groups 1 and 2; however, in comparison with the group 3, the divers demonstrated significantly decreased activity levels of proteins C and S (Protein C: P<0.05; Protein S: P<0.05), and an increase in the levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) (P<0.05). Conclusion: The divers with osteonecrosis had a longer mean diving time than did those divers without osteonecrosis. In the serologic marker analysis, the divers with osteonecrosis demonstrated significantly decreased activity levels of Proteins C, S and a significant increase in the levels of PAI-1, compared with the control group.

Comparison of the Activities of NF-kappa B and I kappa B alpha in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis / 대한정형외과연구학회지

PURPOSE: The nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) has been known to regulate the inflammatory and immune process by transcription of inflammatory intermediates. The purpose of the present study is to show the difference in activity of NF-kappa B and its inhibitory factor-I kappa B alpha in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and normal control subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Synovial membrane samples were obtained at the time of orthopedic surgery from the knees of 7 patients with RA and 7 patients with OA. Two control samples were obtained from an amputee with no history of arthritis. We designed the primer of the subunit p65 of NF-kappa B and I kappa B alpha, measured the activity of them by RT-PCR, and analyzed the expression of NF-kappa B by immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: From the results of RT-PCR, the expression levels of NF-kappa B was found to be higher in synovial tissues obtained from patients with RA than from synovial tissue obtained from patients with OA, and the least from the control group. The expression levels of I kappa B alpha were not different statistically among the three groups. Immunohistochemical staining for the NF-kappa B was dominant in synovial tissue from patients with RA. The result of immunohistochemical staining was similar to the results of RT-PCR for NF-kappa B. The localization of the staining was predominantly nuclear. CONCLUSION: In this study, activity of NF-kappa B of rheumatoid arthritis was higher than the other group, but expressions of I kappa B alpha were no different between the diseases. Further studies about specific inhibitors of NF-kappa B will benefit the development of rheumatoid arthritis regimens with greater efficacy.

Evaluation of Porosity in Cylindrical Bone Cement Specimen Using Image Analysis System / 대한정형외과연구학회지

PURPOSE: The porosity of the bone cement is the most important cause of fatigue failure, the most common mode of failure of bone cement using widely in arthroplasty. It is important to evaluate the porosity of bone cement for improvement or development of bone cement, but the conventional 'stain, 'cut, and 'polish, manual method takes long time and efforts. So it is necessary to develop a new technique for evaluation of porosity of bone cement. We tried a technique using computer image analysis system to evaluate the porosity of bone cement specimen and assess efficacy of the method. Simultaneously we evaluated the relationship between the porosity of bone cement and fatigue failure. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We made 59, 2.5inch-length bone cement specimens(30 Simplex P, 29 Palacos R) using Simplex P and Palaces R which are widely using in clinical situation and checked radiogram using mammography film. After scanning the mammography film, we measured the porosity of the bone cement specimens using NIH(National Institute for Health) Image 1.6 version image analysis program. We also, measured the porosity of the bone cement specimens with conventional 'stain','cut' and 'polish' method, after then compared the results of two methods. Simultaneously, we evaluated the relationship between porosity & fatigue failure by loading 9.0, 10.0, 12.5 and 15.0 MPa load with frequency of 10Hz to the bone cement specimens under the physiologic condition. RESULTS: The coefficient of relation of simplex P and palaces R was 0.729 and 0.713 respectively, so there was high relationship between the image analysis system method and conventional one. It was easy and took shorter time to measure the porosity of bone cement specimens with image analysis system. There was high correlation between cement porosity and fatigue failure, regardless of level of load. CONCLUSION: It was very easy and fast to measure the porosity of the bone cement specimens with image analysis system and there was high correlation between cement porosity and fatigue failure.

Insufficiency Fractures of the Femoral Shaft Associated with Osteoporosis

PURPOSE: To present a clinical experience of the insufficiency fractures of the femoral shaft associated with osteoporosis MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 1995 to December 2002, four patients (8 cases, four females) more than 1-year follow up were reviewed retrospectively. The mean age was 61 years (range, 55 to 73). Medical records and roentgenograms were reviewed. RESULTS: The fractures were bilateral. Plain film revealed fracture line in six among seven cases excluding 1 displaced fracture at initial presentation. All cases presented osteoporosis, anterolateral bowing of the femur, and hot spot in bone scan. Five cases (four displaced, one impending displaced fracture) underwent interlocking intramedullary nailing and all five of them manifested no evidence of delayed union. The preoperative thigh and knee joint pain improved postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Femoral shaft insufficiency fracture could occur rarely in patients with anterolateral bowing of the femur and postmenopausal osteoporosis. Careful history taking, radiography and bone scan are necessary, and bone scan is helpful for early diagnosis. Once diagnosed as the insufficiency fracture with fracture-related symptoms, prophylactic nailing may be necessary lest complete displaced fracture should occur.

Ring-Shaped Lateral Meniscus

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical characteristics and the results of treatment of ring-shaped lateral meniscus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 1984 to 2003, We treated 6 patients with ring-shaped lateral meniscus who were diagnosed during surgery. Among them, five cases were symptomatic. The follow-up period ranged from 12 to 60 months (average 31). All patients were assessed by Lysholm score. RESULTS: There were 5 men and 1 women. Mean age was 27 years. The mean interval from onset of symptoms to surgery was 22 months. Absent or minimal trauma appeared responsible in 5 cases. All patients had excellent results at last follow-up. CONCLUSION: Ring-shaped lateral meniscus was a very rare congenital anomaly which occurred mostly in the lateral meniscus and could present with symptomatic case due to tear.

Extension Block by the Posterior Cruciate Ligament Partial Rupture in the Knee: A Case Report

Although it is well known that extension block in the injured knee is usually attributed to a meniscus tear or anterior cruciate ligament rupture, it is vary rare to cause mechanical extension block by the torn posterior cruciate ligament. We report a case of posterior cruciate ligament partial rupture who presented persistent extension block caused by a nodule formation in a 12-year-old boy after knee trauma and was treated with arthroscopic resection of the nodule.

Meniscal Cysts of the Knee

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical characteristics and the results of arthroscopic treatment of meniscal cysts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 1995 to 2002, 16 patients with meniscal cysts were treated by arthroscopic partial meniscectomy and cyst decompression. Five men and eleven women comprised the study group and had an average age of 31.9 years. The follow-up period ranged from 12 to 52 months (average 27). All patients were assessed by modified Ryu and Ting's method. RESULTS: The mean interval from onset of symptoms to surgery was 30 months. Minimal or absent trauma appeared responsible in 87.5% of all case. Eight of the cysts were lateral and eight were medial. It was difficult to palpate the cyst in three cases. All were noted to have a meniscal tear with horizontal tear at the time of surgery. There have been no recurrences, and all patients returned to their previous level of activity and were satisfied to their results. CONCLUSIONS: Meniscal cysts occur predominantly in women and almost same as often in the medial compartment as in the lateral compartment. Parameniscal cysts may result from synovial fluid tracking through a cyst tract of horizontal cleavage component. Satisfactory results can be expected from only arthroscopic partial meniscectomy and decompression of meniscal cysts without repair.

Morphological and Biochemical Changes of Transitional Zone after Achilles Tendon-bone Autogenous and Allogeneic Graftin Rabbitis Achilles Tendon-bone Autogeous and Allogeneic Graft in Rabbits / 대한정형외과연구학회지

Allografts or autografts of bone-tendon unit have been used for ligament injuries or deficiencies after limb salvage operation for malignant bone tumors around joints. While the remodeling process of the ligament or tendon of the allograftor autograft and the microscopic and biomechanical changes of tendon-bone graft interface have been widely investigated, little is known about the ultrastructural and biochemical changes of the transitionall zone in tendon-bone junction. This study was performed to analyzed the ultrastructural and biochemical changes of the transitional zone after tendon-bone auto-and allo-grafting. A total of twenty four rabbits were divided into two group. In 12 animals(allograft group), two Achilles ten-don-bone unit per each animal were taken and transplanted to another rabbit after preservation below -70degrees C for 2 weeks. In the other 12 animals(autograft group), the Achilles tendon-bone unit was harvested from one side and transplanted to the other side of the rabbit. After operation, their legs were immobilized with short leg cast for 4 weeks, and then mobilized freely. Four animals in each group were sacrificed at four, eight and sixteen-weeks after the transplantation, and their grafted Achilles tendon-bone interfaces were used for analysis of the ultrasturctural and biochemical changes. The following results were obtained. 1. Histologically new cartilage cells were observed at postoperative 16 weeks with local presence of faint tidemark in the autograft group but not in the allograft group. Complete remodeling of the transitional zone had not observed histologically in both groups. 2. Ultrasturctural analysis revealed no definite differences between both groups. However, the slightly rapid appearance of parallelism and cross-striation of microfibrils in the autograft group and time-related restoration of fibers and fibroblasts were observed. 3. From biochemical analysis, type I collagen concentratin was increased, and an early rapid increase of type III collagen and glycosaminoglycan were also observed. In conclusion, these data suggested that type III collagen and glycosaminoglycan are important in stabilization of grafted tendon-bone unit, especially in the transitional zone. The histological and biochemical changes in allograft group were relatively similar to that of autograft group although the allograft group showed the delayed pattern of remodeling. Therefore, the tendon- allograft could be used as a good substitute for the autograft for tendon or ligament reconstruction when no suitable autograft is available.

Dislocation after Bipolar Hemiarthroplasty of the Hip / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: Bipolar hemiarthroplasty of the hip has been used as a treatment modality for displaced femoral neck and intertrochanteric fractures in elderly patients, inflammatory and degenerative diseases of the hip, osteonecrosis of femoral head and limb salvage procedure after tumor resection. Because of the intrinsic stability of the biarticular structure, it is also used for treatment of recurrent dislocation after total hip replacement arthroplasty. However, despite its intrinsic stability, dislocation does occur even after bipolar hemiarthroplasty, and poor prognosis after the dislocation has been reported. So, we tried to investigate the incidence, risk factors, treatment and preventive methods of dislocation after bipolar hemiarthroplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 138 patients and 138 bipolar hemiarthroplasties retrospectively to analyze the incidence, timing, risk factors, treatment and preventive methods of the dislocation. RESULTS: The incidence of dislocation was 5.8% (8/138). Female gender, intertrochanteric fracture, pre-existing neuromuscular disorders including cerebrovascular accident, long period of pre-operative and postoperative immobilization were statistically significant (P<0.05) as a risk factor. Related muscular weakness was the most significant predisposing factor for dislocation. CONCLUSIONS: In order to prevent dislocation after bipolar hemiarthroplasty performed in the patients with above risk factors, we must try and encourage early operation, early ambulation, muscle strengthening exercise and application of abduction hip brace.

The Surgical Treatment of Ossification of Ligamentum Flavum of Thoracic and Thoracolumbar Spine / 대한척추외과학회지

STUDY DESIGN: The authors reviewed 14 patients with neurologic deficits caused by ossification of ligamentum flavum(OLF) of thoracic and thoracolumbar spine. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical and roentgenographic characteristics and suggest the treatment method of the OLF in the thoracic and thoracolumbar spine. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: The reported OLF mainly developed at the thoracolumbar area. It compressed the spinal cord and resulted to the symptoms of thoracic myelopathy. The methods of treatment were posterior decompression including laminectomy or laminoplasty, and sometimes anterior and posterior decompression, with or without fusion. The OLF was not common disease yet and many surgeons have met a problem in making the decision of the extent of posterior decompression multiple or selective. METHODS: The authors reviewed 14 patients with the OLF using clinical reports and roentgenographic studies. We checked the plain roentgenograms, computed tomograms, and magnetic resonance imagings. We performed the posterior decompression using total laminectomy without fusion. We divided three groups according to the operative methods. Group I included the patients with one or two levels of OLF treated with posterior extensive laminectomy. Group II included the patients with OLF in three or more levels, or combined other cord-compressing diseases. They had been treated with multiple posterior or anterior decompression for the entire cord-compressing levels. Group III included the patients with same conditions as group II but they had been treated with selective decompression for the mainly symptomatic levels of OLF. RESULTS: We found the OLF at 54 segments of 14 patients. The involvement of OLF was 29 segments(53.7%) in thoracolumbar and 25 segments(46.3%) in thoracic area. The most commonly involved segment was T10-11(16.7%) and the second was T11-12(14.8%). Clinically the most common neurologic deficit was motor weakness and sensory deficit. The most symptomatic level of OLF was T10-11 and T12-Ll segment(28.6% at each) and the next was T11-12 segment(21.4%). We got the favorable results in group I and group III. But the final results of group II were not good. CONCLUSION: The OLF was most common at the thoracolumbar area and the symptoms and signs were revealed same as those of the thoracic myelopathy. We obtained favorable clinical results after posterior laminectomy without fusion in cases with the OLF in 1-2 segments. In the cases with multiple OLF in three or more segments, or the cases with other cord-compressing diseases, we could get more favorable results in the patients with the selective decompression than the patients with multiple decompression for the entire cord-compressing diseases.

Joint Symptoms in Henoch - Schonlein Purpura / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Henoch-Sch nlein purpura is a small-vessel vasculitis characterized by palpable purpura, abdominal pain, hematuria and arthralgia. Joint involvement occurs in 2/3 of the cases and the joint symptoms are misapprehended as an orthopaedic problem because they are often severe and occurs before characteristic purpura. It has been reported that the joint symptoms can be improved without any sequelae. But, recently some authors suggest that severe joint destruction can occur when combined with rheumatoid arthritis and the patients are FILA-DR4 positive. So, the regular follow-up for joint symptoms and screening test for the risky patients having possibility for progression of arthritis are required. In order to increase the attention of the orthopaedic surgeons on this disease and study the progression of joint symptoms, possibility of development of screening test for the risky patients and the characterisitics of the disease, we analyzed the 58 patients of Henoch-Sch nlein purpura. The following results were obtained. Among 58 patients 34 cases were male and 25 cases were female, 5 to 10-year-old children were affected more frequently and the disease occurs frequently in spring and winter season. Joint symptoms developed in 22/58 patients(37.9%) and occurs before characteristic purpura in 5/22 patients(22.7%) among the joint symptom-developed patients. Knee and ankle were affected in most patients and the inflammatory signs such as high fever, leukocytosis and elevated ESR were accompanied with joint symptom, so it resembled the symptoms and signs of pyogenic arthritis. Most of the patients recovered without remaining sequelae but 9 patients(15.5%) among joint symptom-developed patients complained repeated attacks of arthralgia. The HLA B27 were all positive in those patients. So, it was assumed that the joint symptom in Henoch-Sch nlein purpura has a correlation with genetic environment and through the broad prospective study, the HLA typing can be a screening test for the risky group prone to suffer from repeated attack or aggravation of arthritis.

Dural Tears in the Thoracolumbar Fractures / 대한척추외과학회지

STUDY DESIGN: The authors reviewed the dural tears in the thoracolumbar fractures treated surgically. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the incidence and the predictive values for the presence of dural tears in the thoracolumbar fractures. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Many authors reported that the dural tear was usually related to the thoracolumbar fractures especially with laminar fracture and neurologic deficit. The dural tears may lead complications such as the entrapment of spinal nerve root, delayed wound healing, cerebrospinal fluid fistula, and myelomeningocele. Previous reports emphasized posterior approach to confirm and treat the dural tears using laminectomy. So it is very important that surgeons should identify the presence of dural tear preoperatiyely to determine the surgical approach and treatment options. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors reviewed 22 patients of thoracolumbar fractures treated with posterior laminectomy, posterior decompression, posterolateral fusion, and instntmentation from August 1993 to August 1996. The follow-up period was minimally 12 months. We checked the canal compromise, the injury of the posterior column including laminar fracture and ligamental injury, and neurologic deficits as the predictive values. The statistical analysis was done to evaluate the relationship between the dural tear and the predictive values. RESULTS: The incidence of dural tear was 54.4% of the thoracolumbar fractures. The canal encroachment, the injury of the posterior column, and the neurologic deficits were not significantly related with the dural tears in statistical analysis. But we could find the tendency that is related to the dural tear and posterior column injury. CONCLUSION: The authors concluded that we could find the possible presence of dural tears in the severe thoracoiumbar which were needed the surgical treatment and we could suggest the injury of posterior column was a possible value that could predict the presence of dural tear.