There have long been a lot of controversies on the treatment of unstable thoracolumbar spine fracture, and the role of decompression is also controversial. Compression of the neural elements by retropulsed bone fragments can be relieved
indirectly
by
the reduction with posterior instrumentation or directly by the exploration of the spinal canal through a posterolateral or anterior approach. There is on universal agreement about the indications for each of these method.
Authors analyzed the result of 24 cases of thoracolumbar spine fracture which had been operated by anterior decompression and Kaneda instrumentation from the February 1990 to May 1993 at Inha general hospital.
@ES The results were as follows :
@EN 1. The most common cause of injury was falling from a height, 20 cases (83.3%). And the 12 cases were in the 4th decade, with an average age of 37.7 years.
2. According to McAfee classification, there were 7 stable(29.2%) and 15 unstable bursting fractures(62.5%). And the most common level of injury was L1(11 cases, 45.8%).
3. Neurologic status was improved one or more grade(Frankel grade) in 21 cases except one case o complete paraplegia.
4. The average correctional angle of kyphotic deformity was 13.1° immediate postoperatively, and the loss of correction(average, 6.7°) was observed during the follow-up period.
5. The segmental instability was found at the level below the fusion in three cases during the follow-up period.
6. There was neither failure of instrument, dislodgement of graft bone nor lateral wedging during the follow-up period.
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