Surgical treatment of the old thoracolumbar vertebral fractures / 中华创伤杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To report the preliminary experiences in the treatment of old unstable thoracolumbar vertebral fractures by using anterior decompression, bone graft or titanium mesh and internal fixation with Z-plate system. Methods There were 23 cases (18 males and 5 females) with age range of 25-66 years (mean 41.7 years) as well as thoracolumbar vertebral fracture history for 1.2-28 years (mean 5.6 years). All cases complained of severe lower back pain, 17 of whom had slight neurological deficits (Frankel Grade D). Preoperative radiographic evaluation showed that all 23 cases had various degrees of kyphosis (25?-40?, averaged 34?), spinal cord compression and vertebral instability. Of 23 cases, 15 were treated with anterior decompression, full-thickness iliac crest autograft and internal fixation with Z-plate and the other 8 with titanium mesh instead of full-thickness iliac crest autograft. Results No severe complications happened during and after operation. The lower back pain and neurological deficits were improved or disappeared 2-3 months postoperatively. The average kyphotic correction degrees ranged from preoperative 34? to postoperative 12?. No patients' symptoms worsened during follow-up. In three cases with preoperative Frankel Grade D, the myodynamia recovered slightly but the Frankel Grade remained unchanged. The postoperative MRI examinations showed that vertebral canals were well decompressed. Conclusions Anterior decompression, autograft or titanium mesh and internal fixation with Z-plate are proved to be safe and effective techniques for clinical management of old thoracolumbar fractures, for they have advantages in effective decompression of neural structures, high healing rate of autograft and correction of kyphotic deformity.