ABSTRACT
A retrospective analysis of eighty-six consecutive patients who underwent stabilization with AO internal fixator for thoracolumbar spine fractures was performed at Wonju Christian hospital between 1988 and 1994. The purpose of this study was to determine the quality of reduction and stabilization with the fixateur interne(F-I) and the effects of limited posterior segmental fixation on neurologic recovery and rehabilitation. The mean wedge angle of the fractured vertebra was changed from 19.2° preoperatively to 8.4° preoperatively, and remained almost unchanged at last follow up(10.2°). Also, the wedge index showed nearly no bony loss of correction within the reduced fracture vertebra(corrected from 0.63 to 0.83 and 0.81 at follow up). The mean kyphosis angle was corrected from 22.3° to 8.3° and 16.9° at last follow up. Most of the change of kyphosis was due to the disc space collapse above the fractured vertebra. Transpedicular cancellous bone grafting for the vertebral body fractures effected a significant improvement in results of fixation. All cases of translational displacement were anatomically reduced. No neurologic or vascular complication occurred. Fixateur interne is capable of achieving three-demensional reduction in unstable thoracolumbar spinal fractures and maintaining sufficient stability until bony healing is achieved.