title: [Anterior approach in patients with traumatic compression fracture type of thoracolumbar spine (T11-L2)].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe experience with anterior access in compression fractures of thoracolumbar segment (T11 to L2) traumatic fractures that undergone anterior access surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective study was conducted between January 1994 and January 2004 with 32 patients. The bone fusion and thoracolumbar alignment were analyzed 6 months and 12 months after the surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average age was 36.53 years old with 23 male patients. The most compromised vertebrae was L1 (n=12). The 23 patients that was ASIA/IMSOP C and ASIA/IMSOP D turned to ASIA/IMSOP E after 1 month (n=12) and 12 months (n=5) of surgery. The preoperative angular deformity average was 14.9 degrees +/-7.5 degrees. Statistical significance was found (p<0.0001) when compared to the 30 days postoperative value.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The anterior access permits a better spinal canal decompression and angular deformity correction when compared with the posterior access alone.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista de Medicina (UNIFESP-EPM), General Arcy da Rocha Nóbrega 401/602, 95040-290 Caxias do Sul, RS, Brazil. asdrúbal@doctor.com
authors.forename: Asdrubal
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Falavigna
authors.forename: Orlando
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Righesso Neto
authors.forename: Maurício Amoretti
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Polesso
authors.forename: Paulo Roberto
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Franceschini
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods*; D050815:Fractures, Compression / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome