Clinical Evaluation of the Thoracolumbar Burst Fractures: Results of Anterior Decompression and Stabilization with Kaneda Derice

ABSTRACT

The authors report clinical results of twenty-three traumatic thoracolumbar burst fractures treated by internal fixation with Kaneda device after anterior decompression during recent three years. Thoracolumbar injuries made up 28.9% of total spinal injuries and the burst fractures treated by anterior decompression and stabilization with Kaneda device constituted 19.0% of all spinal injuries. The burst fractures occurred most frequently at the age of twenties and thirties. The main causes of injury were fall and vehicle accident. Superior end-plate fracture type was most common according to the types of burst fracture. The first and the second lumbar vertebrae were frequently involved. No patient showed neurological deterioration after surgery. Conus medullaris lesions in burst fractures of the thoracolumbar junction have a high potentiality for functional recovery because the lesions are not due to discontinuity or severe crush injury but due to simple compression by bony fragments. The Kaneda device offered enough stability to enable early ambulation with good alignment and solid fusion.