Torre GDM, Góngora LJ

Language: Spanish
References: 10
Page: 44-48
PDF size: 77.71 Kb.

ABSTRACT

In this study we evaluated 23 patients with the diagnostic of thoracolumbar traumatic vertebral fracture from January 2001 to December of 2002. The patients who had stable vertebral fracture were treated no operative with orthesis, so they could reach the appropriate consolidation. The patients with vertebral dislocation fractures clearly unstable or caused by burst with more than 50% of compression of the vertebral body, and a xifotic angle more than 35 were treated with operative intervention. The operative management of the thoracolumbar fractures includes a minimum period of intra hospitality management, correction of the xifotic alineation, avoiding the neurologic injury caused by the vertebral instability and giving us the chance to make direct decompression of the neural elements. We made posterior and anterior approaches, fixing the first ones with transpedicular screw using the VSF system and the second ones with plates and screws using the BIOFIX system. As complications we had 2 broken transpedicular screw, so we had to remove the fixing system to make an anterior approach. Conclusion: On the acute stable thoracolumbar fractures, it is necessary the immobilization with orthesis, giving the spine a good position, so we can avoid the xifosis and the neurologic injury. On the unstable fractures it is indicated the operative treatment evaluating which are the best approaches and fixing systems for reaching the stability, arthrodesis and to prevent the exacerbation of the neurologic injury.

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