[Research progress in surgical treatment of thoracolumbar fracture].
OBJECTIVE
To review the latest progress in classification system of thoracolumbar fractures and its surgical treatment with posterior approaches.


METHODS
Recent literature about classification system of thoracolumbar fractures and its surgical treatment was reviewed.


RESULTS
For the treatment of thoracolumbar fracture, the surgeon first should decide whether the surgical treatment was necessary. Recently, a new classification system had been developed to help the surgeon make the right decision. The surgical methods included short segment internal fixation and long segment internal fixation with or without fusion, and minimally invasive internal fixation.


CONCLUSIONS
The progress in the surgical treatment of thoracolumbar fracture will help spinal surgeon decide the necessary surgery beneficial for the patients. The most appropriate and effective surgical method with the minimum damage should be used to treat the fracture. The advantages of non-fusion surgical treatment still need a further study.
Peng
Jun
J
Department of Spinal Surgery, the Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, 200233, P.R. China.
Xu
Jianguang
J
D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000145:classification / Q000601:surgery*; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000379:methods; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries