title: [The USS (Universal Spine System) in the treatment of thoraco-lumbar spine fractures].
abstract: The paper present the results of surgical treatment of 15 patients (11 males and 4 females--average age 35.3 years) with thoraco-lumbar spine fractures. Pre-op neurological disorders were found in 4 patients with narrowing of the spinal canal, including 1 case of paraplegia. The decrease of vertebrae height was on average 45%. All patients underwent surgical treatment with transpedicular fixation by means of USS (Universal Spine System). In 7 patients 4 vertebrae were instrumented, the rest of the patients had only 3 vertebrae instrumented. In this latter case arthrodesis was not performed. Post-op, the neurological symptoms receded completely in 3 patients and partially in the case with paraplegia. In 76% of the cases vertebra height was restored completely. Patients were allowed to stand on the 3-4 day post-op. Follow-up was 22 months, and the neurological status of the patients was stabile. No decrease in vertebra height was noticed.
authors.affiliation: Oddział Urazowo-Ortopedyczny, Wojewódzki Szpital Specjalistyczny im. L. Rydygiera w Krakowie.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Niedźwiedzki
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brudnicki
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Szuścik
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009984:Orthopedic Fixation Devices; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000209:etiology; D011859:Radiography; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome