[Anterior decompression and reconstruction for the treatment of burst thoracolumbar fractures with anterior and median column injury].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the treatment of anterior decompression and reconstruction for burst thoracolumbar fractures with anterior and median column injury and to evaluate the therapeutic effect.


METHODS
Thirty-four patients suffering from burst thoracolumbar fractures with anterior and median column injury (male 22 and female 12, aged from 20 to 63,with an average of 40.5 years) were treated by anterior decompression and reconstruction from May 2001 to October 2006. Operative duration, bleeding and the neurological function of patients were recorded.


RESULTS
All the patients were followed up from 3 to 60 months and the average time was 24.5 months. Operative duration was (178 +/- 65) min. The volume of bleeding was (1 750 +/- 950) ml and the volume of autotransfusion was (950 +/- 750) ml. Cobb angle were corrected from 27.0 degrees +/- 6.5 degrees to 3.0 degrees +/- 1.5 degrees. All fractures obtained fusion. No failure of internal fixation and formation of false joint happened.


CONCLUSIONS
The technique of anterior decompression and reconstruction for burst thoracolumbar fractures with anterior and median column injury is effective, with which the decompression and reconstruction of the spinal stability can be performed under direct vision at one stage, and the sagittal alignment can be corrected at the same time. The procedure will be more smoothly by the application of the intraoperative autotransfusion.
Zhao
Liu-Jun
LJ
Department of Orthopaedics, 6th People's Hospital of Ningbo, Ningbo 315000, Zhejiang, China. zhaoliujun555@sina.com
Chai
Bo
B
Xu
Rong-Ming
RM
Ma
Wei-Hu
WH
Ruan
Yong-Ping
YP
Ying
Qi-Er
QE
Cao
Jin
J
D000328:Adult; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery