Evaluation of transpedicular fixation in treating dorso-lumbar injuries

ABSTRACT

From April 1996 through July 1999, we encountered 27 patients with dorso-lumbar injuries of the spine and were treated by transpedicular rod fixation systems. 17 patients had burst fractures, and 10 patients had fracture-dislocations. Posterolateral fusion was done to all patients. 5 patients had complete paraplegia, 15 patients had various neurological deficits, and 7 patients were neurologically free before surgery. Indirect decompression was done for the patients who have canal compromise less than 50%. The average follow-up period was 18 months [range 6-30 months]. The average correction of the anterior wedge compression angle postoperatively was 11.5° with an average loss of 3.1° at follow-up. The average correction of the local kyphosis angle was 12.2° with an average loss 4.2° at follow-up