Anterolateral Intrumentation and Spinal Stabilzation of Thoracolumbar Burst Fracture

ABSTRACT

Between March 1994 and March 1995, 10 patients with thoracolumbar burst fractures underwent a one-stage operation consisting of anterior decompression, reduction, bony fusion with iliac bone and stabilization with Kaneda device. The mean follow-up was 6.4 Months. Most patients with incomplete neurologic lesions showed postoperative improvement and were upgraded one or two steps in the Frankel scale. No patient showed neurological deterioration after surgery. Loss of reduction was 5.5 degree during follow-up period. Anterior decompression and strut fusion was used to effectively recover the neurological deficit and reduce the pain in a thoraco-lumbar burst fracture.