Clinical and radiological results of thoracic and lumbar fracture and dislocation treated with posterior transforaminal decompression and interbody fusion / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the clinical and radiological results of patients with thoracic and lumbar fracture and dislocation treated by posterior transforaminal decompression and interbody fusion.@*METHODS@#From June 2010 to June 2017, posterior transforaminal decompression, interbody fusion combined with pedicle screw fixation were performed in 21 patients with thoracic and lumbar fracture and dislocation. Their clinical and radiological data were collected and retrospectively analyzed, including 15 males and 6 females, aged from 25 to 58 years with an average of 45 years old. According to the criterion of American Spinal Injury(ASIA), preoperative neurological function was graded A in 3 cases, B in 7 cases, C in 6 cases, D in 4 cases and E in 1 case. Operative time and intraoperative blood loss and correlative complications were recorded. And VAS score, ODI and Cobb angle were evaluated before and after surgery. The improvement of neurological function was also analyzed at the final follow-up. Intervertebral bony fusion was observed during the follow-up by CT three-dimensional reconstruction.@*RESULTS@#The operative time was 150 to 240 min with an average of (192±47) min. The intraoperative blood loss was 380 to 750 ml with an average of(603±120) ml. Dura sac tearing and cerebral fluid leakage occurred in 3 cases and were repaired during operation; superficial wound infection occurred in 1 case, and got healing after dressing change. The postoperative follow-up duration was 24 to 45 months with an average of(37.0±9.5) months. VAS score was improved from preoperative 8.9±0.4 to immediately postoperative 4.2±1.3(<0.05). At the final follow-up, VAS score decreased further to 3.6±0.8. ODI was decreased from preoperative (95.30±3.52)% to (32.51±6.30)% at the final follow-up (<0.05). Cobb angle was corrected from preoperative (21.2±8.8)° to immediately postoperative(2.3±3.1)° (<0.05). At the final follow-up, Cobb angle was (3.2±2.5)°, showing no significant difference with immediately postoperative value. The neurological function was grade A in 3 cases, B in 3 cases, C in 5 cases, D in 6 cases and E in 4 cases at the final follow-up. All the patients got solid intervertebral bone fusion in 8 to 13 months after operation, with an average fusion time of (10.3±2.5) months.@*CONCLUSIONS@#For the patients with thoracic and lumbar fracture and dislocation mainly involving intervertebral disc and endplate plane, posterior transforaminal decompression and interbody fusion not only is less invasive, but also can effectively reconstruct spinal three column and obtain good biomechanical stability. And, it is beneficial for the good recovery of neurological function.

Fractura de L2 (AOSpine A3) en un paciente con diastematomielia asintomática. Reporte de caso / L2 (AOSpine A3) fracture in a patient with asymptomatic diastematomyelia. Case report

La diastematomielia es una anomalía del desarrollo del tubo neural, caracterizada por una división sagital de la médula espinal. Los síntomas son variados y puede cursar con dolor, trastornos de la marcha, escoliosis, deformidad de los pies, alteraciones del control de esfínteres, estigmas cutáneos, aumento de la tensión muscular e hidrocefalia, entre otros. En ocasiones es asintomática. Se presenta un caso clínico de un varón de 24 años, que sufre caída desde 4 m de altura y sufre fractura en columna lumbar L2 (AOSpine A3, N0), con diastematomielia en L1 de tipo I como hallazgo incidental y hemivértebra en T12. Se manejó con estabilización con tornillos pediculares con buena evolución. El manejo de estos pacientes debe ser individualizado. Los tornillos pediculares ofrecen resultados satisfactorios con bajo riesgo de lesión neurológica. Nivel de evidencia clínica Nivel IV.

Diastematomyelia is an abnormality of the development of the neural tube, and is characterised by a sagittal division of the spinal cord. is the symptoms vary and may include pain, gait disorders, scoliosis, deformity of the feet, changes in sphincter control, skin stigmas, increased muscle tension, and hydrocephalus, among others. It is occasionally asymptomatic. The case is reported of a 24-year-old male, suffering a 4-metre fall and a lumbar spine fracture L2 (AOSpine A3, N0), with L1 type I diastematomyelia as an incidental finding and hemivertebra in T12. It was managed with stabilisation with pedicle screws, with a good outcome. The management of these patients must be individualised, the pedicle screws offer satisfactory results with low risk of neurological damage.

Epidemiological Features of Patients with Subdural Hygroma in a Prospective Case Series

Purpose To compare the efficacy and safety of the percutaneous screw fixation (PSF) and the open pedicle screw fixation (OPSF) on thoracolumbar (TL) fracture. Methods Sixty-four adult patients with TL vertebral fractures who underwent open or percutaneous posterior short-segment transpedicular screw fixation between January of 2013 and September of 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. All patients underwent clinical, radiological and quality of life follow-up for at least 18 months. Results There was no significant difference in age, gender, time between injury and surgery, and preoperative percentage of anterior column height, preoperative sagittal regional Cobb angle, or kyphotic angle of fractured vertebra between these two groups (p > 0.05). There was significantly less intraoperative blood loss in the PSF (87.6 24.6 mL) than in the OPSF group (271.4 142.6 mL) (p < 0.05). The mean surgery time was 62 minutes (range 42­130 minutes) for open and 58 minutes (range 35 to 128 minutes) for percutaneous screw fixation. The surgery time was shorter in the PSF group, but with no statistical significance (p > 0.05). The mean Oswestry disability index (ODI) scores after 18-months were 23.12 8.2 for the PSF and 24.12 9.2 for the OPSF group, without any statistical significance (p > 0.05). Conclusion Both open and percutaneous screw fixations are safe and effective. The percutaneous techniques significantly reduced the intraoperative blood loss compared with the open techniques.

Objetivo Comparar a eficácia e segurança das técnicas de fixação convencional e percutânea para fraturas toracolombares. Métodos Sessenta e quatro pacientes adultos com fraturas da transição toracolombar que foram submetidos a fixação pedicular curta por técnicas aberta convencional e percutânea entre janeiro de 2013 e setembro de 2015 foram retrospectivamente avaliados. Todos foram submetidos a avaliação clínica, radiológica e de qualidade de vida com no mínimo 18 meses do seguimento. Resultados Não houve diferença significativa na idade, sexo, tempo entre o trauma e o tratamento, porcentagem da redução da altura do corpo vertebral pré-operatório, angulo de Cob sagital na região da fratura, ou ângulo de de cifose da vértebra fraturada entre os dois grupos (p > 0,05). Houve uma menor perda sanguínea no grupo percutâneo (87,6 24,6 mL) em comparação com a técnica convencional (271,4 142,6 mL) (p < 0,05). O tempo médio da cirurgia foi 62 minutos (42 - 130 minutos) para a técnica convencional e 58 minutos (35 - 128 minutos) para a percutânea. Apesar de mais curto na técnica percutânea, não houve diferença estatisticamente significante no tempo cirúrgico entre os dois grupos (p > 0,05). Em relação ao índice de incapacidade de Oswestry após 18 meses do tratamento cirúrgico, também não houve diferença significante do ponto de vista estatístico entre os dois grupos, sendo 23,12 8,2 para a técnica percutânea e 24,12 9,2 para o grupo da técnica convencional (p > 0,05). Conclusão Ambas as técnicas mostraram-se eficazes e seguras para o tratamento de fraturas da transição toracolombar. A técnica percutânea apresentou uma taxa de perda sanguínea significativamente menor em comparação à técnica aberta convencional.

Open vs. Percutaneous Pedicle Screw Insertion for Thoracolumbar Traumatic A3 and A4 AO Fractures - 18-Months Follow-Up

Purpose To compare the efficacy and safety of the percutaneous screw fixation (PSF) and the open pedicle screw fixation (OPSF) on thoracolumbar (TL) fracture. Methods Sixty-four adult patients with TL vertebral fractures who underwent open or percutaneous posterior short-segment transpedicular screw fixation between January of 2013 and September of 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. All patients underwent clinical, radiological and quality of life follow-up for at least 18 months. Results There was no significant difference in age, gender, time between injury and surgery, and preoperative percentage of anterior column height, preoperative sagittal regional Cobb angle, or kyphotic angle of fractured vertebra between these two groups (p > 0.05). There was significantly less intraoperative blood loss in the PSF (87.6 24.6 mL) than in the OPSF group (271.4 142.6 mL) (p < 0.05). The mean surgery time was 62 minutes (range 42­130 minutes) for open and 58 minutes (range 35 to 128 minutes) for percutaneous screw fixation. The surgery time was shorter in the PSF group, but with no statistical significance (p > 0.05). The mean Oswestry disability index (ODI) scores after 18-months were 23.12 8.2 for the PSF and 24.12 9.2 for the OPSF group, without any statistical significance (p > 0.05). Conclusion Both open and percutaneous screw fixations are safe and effective. The percutaneous techniques significantly reduced the intraoperative blood loss compared with the open techniques.

Objetivo Comparar a eficácia e segurança das técnicas de fixação convencional e percutânea para fraturas toracolombares. Métodos Sessenta e quatro pacientes adultos com fraturas da transição toracolombar que foram submetidos a fixação pedicular curta por técnicas aberta convencional e percutânea entre janeiro de 2013 e setembro de 2015 foram retrospectivamente avaliados. Todos foram submetidos a avaliação clínica, radiológica e de qualidade de vida com no mínimo 18 meses do seguimento. Resultados Não houve diferença significativa na idade, sexo, tempo entre o trauma e o tratamento, porcentagem da redução da altura do corpo vertebral pré-operatório, angulo de Cob sagital na região da fratura, ou ângulo de de cifose da vértebra fraturada entre os dois grupos (p > 0,05). Houve uma menor perda sanguínea no grupo percutâneo (87,6 24,6 mL) em comparação com a técnica convencional (271,4 142,6 mL) (p < 0,05). O tempo médio da cirurgia foi 62 minutos (42 - 130 minutos) para a técnica convencional e 58 minutos (35 - 128 minutos) para a percutânea. Apesar de mais curto na técnica percutânea, não houve diferença estatisticamente significante no tempo cirúrgico entre os dois grupos (p > 0,05). Em relação ao índice de incapacidade de Oswestry após 18 meses do tratamento cirúrgico, também não houve diferença significante do ponto de vista estatístico entre os dois grupos, sendo 23,12 8,2 para a técnica percutânea e 24,12 9,2 para o grupo da técnica convencional (p > 0,05). Conclusão Ambas as técnicas mostraram-se eficazes e seguras para o tratamento de fraturas da transição toracolombar. A técnica percutânea apresentou uma taxa de perda sanguínea significativamente menor em comparação à técnica aberta convencional.

Surgical Treatment of Lumbar Hyperextension Injury in Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic systemic and inflammatory rheumatic disease with a variable course of the axial skeleton. Spinal involvement may accompany ossification of the ligaments, intervertebral disc, end-plates and apophyseal structures, and seems to be "bamboo spine". Because of these natures of the spine in AS, a spinal fracture can be occurred with minor trauma or spontaneously. The fracture of the AS can cause neurological complications extremely high, so special attention to prevent neurological deterioration. Operative management of the injured spine with AS is difficult, and associated with a high complication rate. Extreme care must be taken for surgery to prevent secondary neurological deterioration.

The Clinical Characteristics of Lower Lumbar Osteoporotic Compression Fractures Treated by Percutaneous Vertebroplasty : A Comparative Analysis of 120 Cases

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to provide accurate understanding of clinical presentations and surgical outcomes as well as to identify the unique characteristics of lower lumbar osteoporotic compression fracture (OCF). METHODS: Clinical data were collected from 120 patients who had L3, L4 or L5 percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) performed from 2008 to 2012 at the single institute. L4 or L5 PVP patients were classified into group 1 and group 2 was for L3 PVP patients. Medical records were retrospectively investigated at 1 month after PVP. Long term follow-up results were obtained at a median value of 22 months after PVP. RESULTS: 75% of the patients in group 1 were not associated with traumatic events, 71% presenting with leg radiating symptoms and 46% requiring an additional decompressive surgery, more often than those in group 2. These differences are statistically significant (p<0.05). The short term medical record review demonstrated that only 73% of patients in group 1 were ameliorated with regard to back motion pain, whereas those in group 2 reported 87.7% rates of amelioration in identical category (p<0.05). The long term follow up confirmed a significantly worse outcome in group 1, with only 55.7% of patients reporting amelioration in their pain or functional status, but 71.7% rate of amelioration in group 2. CONCLUSION: The OCFs at the L4 or L5 level have different clinical characteristics from those at upper levels of the lumbar spine.

The therapeutic effects of UPASS-Ⅱ percutaneous pedicle screws internal fixation treating thoracolumbar fracture / 重庆医学

Objective To observe the therapeutic effects of UPASS-Ⅱ minimally invasive spinal system percutaneous pedicle screws internal fixation treating thoracolumbar fracture .Methods From May 2011 to December 2012 ,26 patients(observing group) were sufferred from thoracolumbar fracture without neural impairment were treated with UPASS-Ⅱ minimally invasive spinal sys-tem percutaneous pedicle screws internal fixation ,and were compared with other 26 cases(control group) adopted the treatment of conventional open pedicle screws internal fixation in the same period .Results All patients were followed up more than 6 months (mean 9 .2 months) ,the comparison of Cobb′s angle ,anterior vertebra height ,VAS ,JOA score and ODI between pre and post oper-ation were all significantly different in both group(P<0 .01) ,but the operation time and length of stay in the hospital in observing group were significantly shorter than that in control group (P<0 .05) ,moreover ,the amount of operative bleeding and drainage of post operation in observing group decreased obviously than that in control group (P<0 .01) .Conclusion This study shows that UPASS-Ⅱ minimally invasive spinal system percutaneous pedicle screw internal fixation treating thoraco-lumbar fracture is a safe and effective treatment strategy in selected patients .

Minimally Invasive Surgery for Fracture-dislocation of the Lumbar Spine with Neurologic Deficit and Hemodynamic Instability: A Case Report

STUDY DESIGN: A case report. OBJECTIVES: In patients with fracture-dislocation of the lumbar spine with neurologic deficit and hemodynamic instability, minimally invasive surgery made/produced good clinical results. So the authors have reported the results with literature review. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: In patients with unstable lumbar spine fracture-dislocation, early surgical treatment has been preferred due to its many advantages of anatomical reduction, nerve decompression, recovery of nerve function, and early rehabilitation, etc. But for patients with unstable lumbar spine fracture-dislocation and who are hemodynamically unstable, the surgical treatment is generally delayed, so there are many cases that cannot fulfill the expectation of neurologic recovery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In patients with unstable lumbar 2-3 spine fracture-dislocation and who are hemodynamically unstable, applying the concept of stage operation, postural reduction and minimal invasive percutaneous pedicle screw fixation were conducted as soon as possible. Then after recover of general condition, decompression and posterior fusion were conducted as a second stage operation. RESULTS: After the first stage operation, motor grade was improved from 3 to 4 below the L3 spine level in postoperative physical examination. The second stage operation was conducted two weeks later and neurologic symptom was more improved after the second stage operation. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with lumbar spine fracture-dislocation having hemodynamic instability and neurologic deficit, early minimally invasive fixation for reducing complications of open reduction and internal fixation may contribute to improving general conditions and recovery of neurologic deficits.

Fratura de chance em três irmãos: relato de caso / Chance fracture in three brothers: A case report

A fratura de Chance é incomum na população pediátrica. Resulta do mecanismo de flexão e distração. Apresenta forte associaçãocom o uso do cinto de segurança. A presença de lesões intra-abdominais é frequente. Pode apresentar alterações sutis no examede imagem. O atraso no diagnóstico contribui para o aumento de déficits neurológicos. Relatamos o caso de três irmãos vítimasde acidente automobilístico com fratura do cinto de segurança ou fratura do Tipo Chance atendidos no Hospital João XXIII deBelo Horizonte. Os casos descritos reforçam o mecanismo dessa fratura e sua associação com lesões intra-abdominais...

Chance fracture, suggestive of a flexion-distraction mechanism, is an uncommon type of injury in the pediatric population. Itsoccurrence, with associated intra-abdomimal lesions, has increased with the widespread use of seat belts. Since this type offracture presents subtle variations on common image examinations, its diagnosis may be delayed increasing the probability ofsubsequent neurologic deficits. In this paper we report the case of three siblings, victims of a motor vehicle head-on collision,either presenting seat belt fracture or Chance fracture. They were treated in the Hospital João XXIII, Belo Horizonte. The casereported reinforces the hypothesis describing the fracture mechanism and associated intra-abdominal injuries...

Luxação C1-C2 em paciente portador de síndrome de down. Relato de caso / C1-C2 luxation in patient with down syndrome. Case report

A Síndrome de Down é provocada pela trissomia do cromossomo 21, sendo a anomalia cromossômica mais comum em humanos.Esta condição genética caracteriza-se por múltiplas anomalias esqueléticas, incluindo a instabilidade atlantoaxial que ocorreem 9-31% dos pacientes, apresentando consequências clínicas em 1-3% dos mesmos. Este estudo tem por objetivo relatar umcaso de instabilidade atlantoaxial com repercussões clínicas de tetraparesia. Relato de caso: Menino de 10 anos, portadorde Síndrome de Down sem conseguir levantar-se por três meses. O exame clínico revelou tetraparesia com confirmação deinstabilidade atlantoaxial através de radiografia lateral de coluna cervical evidenciando distância atlanto-odontóide de 6mm...

Chance fracture, suggestive of a flexion-distraction mechanism, is an uncommon type of injury in the pediatric population. Itsoccurrence, with associated intra-abdomimal lesions, has increased with the widespread use of seat belts. Since this type offracture presents subtle variations on common image examinations, its diagnosis may be delayed increasing the probability ofsubsequent neurologic deficits. In this paper we report the case of three siblings, victims of a motor vehicle head-on collision,either presenting seat belt fracture or Chance fracture. They were treated in the Hospital João XXIII, Belo Horizonte. The casereported reinforces the hypothesis describing the fracture mechanism and associated intra-abdominal injuries...

Measurement Discrepancy of Sagittal Parameters between Plain Radiography and 3D Computed Tomography in Thoracolumbar and Lumbar Fractures / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: For decision making in the management of vertebral fractures such as operation or not, sagittal parameters like Cobb angle and wedge compression ratio are important. Plain radiography had been the only image tool for measuring such parameters until 3D computed tomography (CT) became popular recently. In this study, we investigated the measurement discrepancy between plain radiography and 3D CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Plain radiography and 3D CT of 45 thoracolumbar and lumbar fracture patients (male=21, female=24) were evaluated. We measured sagittal angle and vertebral height on lateral radiography and sagittal CT. Sagittal angle was measured between the upper body and lower body of fractured vertebrae. Anterior and posterior heights were measured to assess anteriorposterior (AP) wedge ratio. RESULTS: The sagittal angle of plain radiography (13.1+/-14.3degrees) was significantly larger than that of 3D CT (8.2+/-13.0degrees) by 4.9degrees (p<0.001). AP wedge ratio of plain radiography was on average 65+/-17%, which was significantly lower than the 3D CT (73+/-17%) by 8% (p<0.001). The severer the initial kyphotic deformity, the more discrepancy of results between the two methods was observed. CONCLUSION: Significant discrepancy was observed in sagittal features of fractured vertebra between plain radiography and 3D CT. Measured values of plain radiography showed more kyphotic features of the fractured body.

Post-operative deformity after posterior approach vertebral pedicle fixation in treatment of thorac-lumbar fracture / 中国矫形外科杂志

[Objective]To analyze the factors of post-operative deformity after posterior approach vertebral pedicle fixation in treatment of dorso-lumbar spinal fractures.[Method]Between 2000.10～2005.11,32 patients of single dorso-lumbar spinal fracture were hospitalized.compressive type 5 cases,explosive type 27 cases.T11 12 cases,T12 11 cases,L1 5 cases,L2 3 cases,L3 1 case.The patients were devided into 3 groups according to the severity of related chondral plates injuly,group 1: without chondral fracture 11cases,group 2: with upper chondral plate fracture 15 cases,group 3: with both upper and lower chondral plate fractures 6 cases.By the formula to measure the average height of fractured vertebral body and its kyphotic Cobb's angle before operation,after operation and at time of follow-up,and calculate the result stastically.[Result]All 32 patients were followed-up for 10～56 months(average 23 months).The results indicated that the patient's preoperative condition was negatively correlated with the average vertebral height which is followed-up.The worse condition was,and the greater loss of postoperative vertebral height was.Furthermore,the patient's situation before operation had a positive correlation with the Cobb's angle of vertebral followed-up.When the patient's condition was worse,the postoperative angle of deformity was larger.[Conclusion]Posterior approach vertebral pedicle fixation in treatment of dorso-lumbar spinal fractures may result in reccurence of vertebral deformity,which is related to the severity of injury of vertebra and its chondral plates,so that to those patients related with chondral plates injuries,the vertebral pedicle fixation should be combined with anterior bone grafting,or with bone grafting into vertebral body after reduction.

Percutaneous vertebroplasty in the treatment of osteoporotic thoracolumbar vertebral compression fractures / 中国矫形外科杂志

[Objective]To observe the clinical results of percutaneous vertebroplasty in the treatment of painful osteoporotic thoracolumbar vertebral body compression fractures in old people.[Method]Six cases of PVP and 2 cases of kyphoplasty were performed with polymethylmethacrylate(PMMA) through unipedicular or bipedicular under C-arm fluoroscopy.[Result]No leakage of PMMA was found in the operation,the pain was clearly relieved or disappeared postoperatively,no severe complication occurred.[Conclusion]PVP is safe,effective and enconomical in the treatment of painful osteoporotic thoracolumbar vertebral body compression fracture.

Modified minimally invasive percutaneous pedicle screws osteosynthesis (mMIPPSO) for the treatment of thoraco-lumbar fracture without neural impairment / 中国矫形外科杂志

[Objective]To explore the feasibility and effect of modified minimally invasive percutaneous pedicle screws osteosynthesis for the treatment of thoraco-lumbar vertebra compression fracture.[Method]Twelve cases of thoraco-lumbar fracture without neural impairment were enrolled who did not need laminotomy decompression from June 2005 to June 2007.With the help of C-arm image intensifier,the pedicle screws were inserted through four small longitudinal incisions(1-1.5 cm)and modified surgical instruments.Perioperative parameter,postoperative imaging index,visual analog scale(VAS)and Oswestry Disability Index(ODI)were compared with the treatment of conventional open pedicle screws osteosynthesis in other 18 cases.[Result]All cases were followed up from 8 to 25 months(mean 13.2 months).The operation time and length of stay in minimal invasive group were significantly shorter than that in conventional group,the amount of operative bleeding and drainage of postoperation decreased obviously(P

Short Segment Pedicle Screw Fixation with Augmented Intra-Operative Vertebroplasty in Unstable Thoraco-Lumbar Fracture: Preliminary Report

OBJECTIVES: Since vertebroplasty has been introduced, we performed short segment pedicle screw fixation with augmented intra-operative vertebroplasty in patients with unstable thoraco-lumbar fracture. Our intentions are to demonstrate the efficacy and indication of this new technique compare to conventional methods. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The surgery comprised of pedicle screw fixations on one level above and below the fracture site, and the fractured level itself, if pedicle is intact, and intra-operative vertebroplasty under the fluoroscopic guide with in-situ postero-lateral bone graft. Also, in cases of bone apposition, we removed those with small impactor through a transfascetal route. During the last 2 years, we performed in seven(7) unstable thoraco-lumbar fracture patients who consisted of two different characteristics, those four(4) with primary or secondary osteoporosis and three(3) of young and very healthy. All patients were followed clinically by A.S.I.A. score and radiography. RESULTS: Mean follow up period was 14 months. We observed well decompressed state via transfascetal route in cases of bone fragments apposition and no hardware pullout in osteoporotic cases, no poly-methyl-methacrylate (PMMA) leakage through the fracture sites into the spinal canal, and no kyphotic deformities in both cases during follow-up periods. All patients demonstrated solid bony fusion except one following osteoporotic compression fracture on other sites. CONCLUSIONS: In the management of unstable thoraco-lumbar fracture, we believe that this short segment pedicle screw fixation with augmented intra-operative vertebroplasty reduce the total length or levels of pedicle screw fixation without post-operative kyphotic deformity.

Surgical Decompression and Stabilization with Instrumentation in Theoracolumbar and Lumbar Spine Fracture

Twenty patients with a major thoracolumbar or lumbar spine fractures were treated with various kinds of internal fixation device through anterior or posterior approach during last 2 years. Anterior spinal surgery(10 patients) applied to the patients who had a major fracture of anterior compartment with neural canal impingement and condisted of anterior decompression through vertebrectomy and stabilization with Kaneda device. Posterior spinal surgery(9 patients) applied to mainly posterior compartment injury and consisted of stabilization with Harrington instrument(3 patients) and Roy-Camille plate system(6 patients). The other one patient was treated with a combined approach of anterior decompression and posterior Harrington instrumentation. No patients showed neurological deterioration after surgery and 15 patients(75%) improved postoperatively with entering the next Frankel subgroup. Radiologic evaluation showed the correction of the fracture deformity with satisfactory outcome postoperatively. There was no significant difference between anterior and posterior spinal surgery regarding operative result.