Treatment of Unstable Fracture Dislocation of the Spin / 대한정형외과학회잡지

ABSTRACT

The results of treatment of injuries of the thoracic and thoracolumbar spine with neurological involvement have been reviewed in a retrospective study of 14 patients who received surgical treatment. Seven patients were treated with open reduction and Harrington instrumentation and the others were treated with anterior fusion, laminectomy only, Roger wiring with H-graft and posterior fusion respectively. In the former group, distraction rods were used in all patients. Three patients with incomplete paraplegia and of the 4 patients with complete paraplegia, two patients showed marked neurological improvement. While, in the latter group, only two patients with incomplete paraplegia showed marked neurological improvement. Harrington instrumentation allowed easier postoperative nursing and early mobilization of the patients.