Total vertebrectomy and spine shortening in the management of acute thoracic spine fracture dislocation: technical note and report of 3 cases.
METHODS
Case report of 3 thoracic spine fracture-dislocations with complete spinal cord section treated by total vertebrectomy--spine shortening through a posterior approach.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the usefulness and safety of this surgical technique in the treatment of acute thoracic spine fracture-dislocation.


BACKGROUND
Total vertebrectomy can be used in different nontraumatic disorders. This surgical procedure has been used in the chronic phase of traumatic thoracolumbar dislocation. To our knowledge, the technique of total vertebrectomy and spine shortening in the acute phase of thoracic spine fracture dislocation has never been reported.


METHODS
Three patients who suffered thoracic spine fracture-dislocation with ASIA A paraplegia underwent complete vertebrectomy and spine shortening through a posterior approach. We report technical details, clinical, and radiologic results at 24 months minimum follow-up.


RESULTS
Complete vertebrectomy of the fractured vertebra involved T5 in 1 patient, T7 in another, and T10 in the third. There were no perioperative complications. At latest follow-up, fusion was obtained in all 3. Overall sagittal and coronal alignment was restored.


CONCLUSIONS
Complete vertebrectomy and spinal shortening can be used in the acute phase to manage thoracic spine fracture-dislocations.
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University Hospital of Bordeaux, Spinal Unit, Bordeaux, France.
Ibrahim
I
Obeid
Patrick
P
Guérin
Olivier
O
Gille
Nicolas
N
Gangnet
Nicolas
N
Aurouer
Vincent
V
Pointillart
Jean-Marc
JM
Vital
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D017586:Diskectomy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult