RESUMO
Among the 98 patients who underwent operations for thoracolumbar spinal lesions from May 1989 to September 1994, the authors performed clinical analysis of 72 patients who were followed-up for more than 12 months. There were 52 cases of trauma, 18 cases of tuberculous spondylitis, and 2 cases of metastatic tumor. After partial or toal vertebrectomy, interbody fusion was performed using autogenous iliac bone or autogenous ribs which were taken while approaching the thoracic spine, and stabilized using Kaneda devices. Complete neural decompression was possible under direct vision in all cases. Neurologic deficits improved to an average of 1.7 grades using a modified Frankel scale. Patients with tuberculous spondylitis did not show recurrence or any evidence of increased risk of secondary infection caused by instrumentation. Loosening or breakdown of instruments occurred in 4 patients, and spinal deformity in 7 patients, but reoperation was not needed in any of these patients. By anterior decompression, interbody fusion and stabilization using Kaneda device in thoracolumbar spinal lesions, we could obtain satisfactory neurologic improvement as well as immediate firm stability and high fusion rate involving only a minimum(usually two) number of motion segments as compared with the posterior approach.