title: Canal clearance in burst fractures using the AO internal fixator.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of posterior distraction delivered by the AO internal fixator to effect a satisfactory reduction of the intraspinal fragments in burst fractures. The overall decompression achieved was from an initial compromise of 54% to a residual encroachment of 40%. Canal clearance proved most effective when carried out in the first 4 days, with an initial canal compromise of between 34 and 66%. The extent of improvement, even in this group, was not dramatic, with an average of 31% encroachment still remaining, with some cases as high as 50%. Therefore, we recommend that when canal clearance is essential, anterior decompression is the treatment of choice.
authors.affiliation: Texas Back Institute, Houston.
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Gertzbein
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Crowe
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fazl
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schwartz
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rowed
mesh_terms: D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D006801:Humans; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013115:Spinal Canal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed