RESUMEN
Objective To discuss the results and characteristics of surgical treatments through anterior or posterior approach for thoracolumbar burst fractures. Methods The retrospective review included 43 cases with an average age of 30.4 years from September, 1999 to November, 2004. The surgical approach was chosen according to conditions of the injury. 17 cases received an anterior approach operation. The Frankel scale was used for assessment of nerve function. 3 cases were rated as Grade A, 12 as Grade B, 19 as Grade C, and 9 as Grade D before surgery. Results The mean follow-up period was 36.7 months. There were no severe postoperative complications, such as deterioration of nerve function. All the cases showed notable improvement. Except in 3 cases of complete paraplegia, the improvement was 1.6 and 1.3 Frankel grades respectively for the anterior and posterior approach operations. Conclusions The anterior and posterior approaches are different in advantages and characteristics. The surgery through anterior approach provides more decompression and better maintenance of sagittal plane alignment.