Anterior approach in patients with traumatic compression fracture type of thoracolumbar spine (T11-L2)

• Published in: Arquivos de neuro-psiquiatria Vol. 65; no. 3B; pp. 906 - 911
• Main Authors: Falavigna, Asdrubal, Righesso Neto, Orlando, Polesso, Maurício Amoretti, Franceschini, Paulo Roberto
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Portuguese
• Published: Brazil 01-09-2007
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Decompression, Surgical - methods; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Fracture Fixation, Internal - methods; Fractures, Compression - surgery; Humans; Lumbar Vertebrae - injuries; Lumbar Vertebrae - surgery; Male; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Thoracic Vertebrae - injuries; Thoracic Vertebrae - surgery; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 0004-282X
• DOI: 10.1590/S0004-282X2007000500036

To describe experience with anterior access in compression fractures of thoracolumbar segment (T11 to L2) traumatic fractures that undergone anterior access surgery.
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.
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.
The anterior access permits a better spinal canal decompression and angular deformity correction when compared with the posterior access alone.