title: Results of Harrington instrumentation in type A and type B burst fractures.
abstract: Comparisons of the reductions achieved with posterior Harrington instrumentation of 21 type A and 26 type B burst fractures revealed that the percent correction of angular deformity at surgery was significantly higher (type A, 52% versus type B, 65%) and was better maintained at 6 (type A, 13% versus type B, 36%) and 12 months (type A, 0% versus type B, 28%) after surgery in type B fractures (p less than 0.05). Percent correction of anterior compression achieved at surgery was similar for both groups (type A, 33% versus type B, 37%), but maintenance of correction 6 (type A, 9% versus type B, 23%) and 12 months after surgery (type A, 3% versus type B, 23%) also was significantly better in type B fractures (p less than 0.05). Percent correction of sagittal plane displacement immediately following surgery (type A, 71% versus type B, 73%), and 6 (type A, 62% versus type B, 61%) and 12 months after surgery (type A, 60% versus type B, 56%) was the same in both groups. Results of posterior instrumentation of burst fractures appears to be dependent upon the type of burst injury; significantly better reductions were achieved and maintained in Denis type B fractures.
authors.affiliation: Division of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Wisconsin, Madison 53792.
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Greenwald
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Keene
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D016268:Internal Fixators; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D011897:Random Allocation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000145:classification / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000295:instrumentation*