Surgical treatment of thoracolumbar spinal fractures in patients with multiple injuries / 中国矫形外科杂志

ABSTRACT

[Objective]To study the surgical treatment of thoracolumbar fractures in multiple injured patients.[Method]Data from 12 consecutive patients with thoracolumbar fractures and multiple trauma were reviewed retrospectively.Three patients with thoracolumber fractures were complicated by pelvic(acetabular) fracture,11 by lower extremity fracture and 6 by upper extremity fracture.All the patients were treated operatively.The spinal injury and pelvic fractures were first treated.The operation time,bleeding volume as well as Frankle score were recorded.[Result]The average operation time was(202?52)min and the blood loss was(500?325)ml per patient,and the average operation time was 59 min and blood loss was 146 ml for an injury.The average Frankle score increased from 2.8 preoperatirely to 3.5 at 3 months after operation.Bone reunion or fusion was achieved in 8 patients at a one-year follow-up.[Conclusion]Damage control orthopedics should be emphasized for severe polytrama.The operation timing and techniques depend on the characteristics of fractures and the general conditions of the patients.Minimally invasive technique is useful in reducing the operation time and injury reaction,promoting early mobilization and lessening complications.