Management of thoraco-lumbar fractures

The immediate surgical goals in the treatment of thoraco-lumbar fractures are decompression of compromised neural structures and stabilization of the vertebral column. If more sophisticated instrumentation is available, e.g. A.O.-fixateur interne or instrument set according to Kluger, stable reposition and reformation of compressed vertebral bodies also becomes possible. The long-term goals are to prevent delayed onset of spinal deformity, pain, and further neurological deficit. Early operative stabilization also shortens hospitalization time and allows immediate ambulation, thus lessening pulmonary, vascular, urological, and psychological complications. The Department of Neurosurgery, Sher-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, treated 75 cases of thoraco-lumbar fractures. Out of 75 cases 63 were operated upon: 32 cases by spinal fusion alone and 31 by a combined procedure of decompression and posterior spinal fusion with fibular graft. 52 showed evidence of recovery ranging from moderate to excellent in a follow-up of 2-3 years. Thus surgery resulted not only in giving a stable spine to patients but also good improvement of neurodeficits. Our experiences demonstrate that operative treatment of thoraco-lumbar fractures can give satisfactory results even in situations where sophisticated instrumentation is not available.