title: Anterior spine stabilization and decompression for thoracolumbar injuries.
abstract: In a series of patients with thoracolumbar spine injuries, anterior spinal canal decompression resulted in better neurologic recovery than did previously reported posterior instrumentation or nonoperative treatment. The technique allows stabilization over a much shorter segment of the spine than posterior instrumentation and therefore is indicated for fractures at L2 and below and in all patients with burst fractures and neurologic compromise.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000601:surgery*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008722:Methods; D009984:Orthopedic Fixation Devices; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013115:Spinal Canal / Q000601:surgery; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries* / Q000503:physiopathology