Unstable thoracolumbar fractures: surgical treatment and results

ABSTRACT

From 2002 to 2004, 12 patients with unstable thoracolumbar fractures were treated surgically. A posterior short segment pedicle screw implant protected with hooks was used in 12 patients; anterior decompression with grafting and application of the Kaneda device was used in 3 patients in association with the posterior fixation. The average follow-up was 32 months [range 15-48 months]. The clinical outcome was satisfactory in 9 out of 12 patients. Radiographic imaging findings showed a slight loss of reduction, but the clinical outcome of the patients was not affected. No pseudarthrosis and no implant failures were recorded. The outcome of patients with complete spinal cord injury was still poor despite the phenomenal advances in fixation devices and surgical procedures. Much progress is still to be made to ameliorate the functional outcome of patients who are victims of thoracolumbar fractures