STABILIZATION OF THORACOLUMBAR SPINAL INJURIES

Spinal Cord injury cases are being managed in Base Hospital Delhi Cantt since Oct. 97. 27 cases of thoracolumbar injuries were admitted in this hospital during the period Oct 97 to Aug 99. 20 patients underwent surgical treatment (9 thoracic and 11 lumbar) and 7 were treated conservatively. All these operations were done within 3 weeks following trauma, and methylprednisolone therapy was instituted in those who reached the hospital early. Contraindications to surgery included stable fracture, bed sores, any focus of sepsis and generalized bone disorders. Transpedicular fixation with Dyna-lok system was done in 10 cases, universal spinal system was applied in 6 cases and Harrington instrumentation was carried out in 4 cases. Decompression laminectomy was done in all cases. Patients with incomplete cord injury showed neurological improvement and early rehabilitation was possible after surgery.KEY WORDS: Harrington instrumentation, Pedicle screw and plate, Spine trauma, Thoracolumbar fractures