The surgical treatment of the thoracolumbar burst type spine fractures has been widely explored. The long term survival and the possibility of functional rehabilitation of patients with spinat cord injuries has led t o increased interest injreatment of these patients.
Betvveen 1992-1995, 87 patients with thoracolumbar burst type fractures were surgically treated by posterior instrumentation and fusion within five days from the injury. The appiied instrumentation system were Alıcı for 45, Isola for 30, and AO fixatour interna (Dick) for 12 patients. After an average follow-up period of 2.4 years, the mean loss of correction in local kyphotic angle was 11 °. The average improvement in the canal devience was found as 26%. The improper placement of the transpedicular screw fixation was 9.2% (to the fractured vertebra in 1, to the disc space in 7 patients). Although the postoperative pain on the thoracolumbar vertebral region was identified in 2.3, it was 31% on the posterior iliac allograft donor site. No screw or rod breakage, and nonunion was established. With respect to neurologic recovery, the average improvement was 1.17 Frankel grades. The mean post-operative infection rate was 4.6%, but in only one patient, the implant removal vvas needed.
As a result; the surgical treatment of the unstable burst type thoracolumbar vertebral fractures with a posterior instrumentation system is the proper method of fixation when the indications of the surgery and the approach type are well-decided.
Keywords: Thoracolumbar Vertabrae, Burst Fractures, Posterior İnstrumentation