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58. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie e. V. (DGNC)

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie (DGNC) e. V.

26. bis 29.04.2007, Leipzig

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Postero-lateral approach for a combined anterior and posterior stabilization of thoracic and lumber spine fractures

Kombinierte ventrale und dorsale Stabilisierung von thorakolumbalen Wirbelfrakturen mittels eines posterolateralen Zugangs

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  • corresponding author R. Leuze - Department of Neurosurgery, University of Cagliari, Italy
  • F. Ennas - Department of Neurosurgery, University of Cagliari, Italy
  • D. Carreras - Department of Neurosurgery, University of Cagliari, Italy
  • G. Granella - Department of Neurosurgery, University of Cagliari, Italy
  • A. Maleci - Department of Neurosurgery, University of Cagliari, Italy

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie. 58. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie e.V. (DGNC). Leipzig, 26.-29.04.2007. Düsseldorf: German Medical Science GMS Publishing House; 2007. DocSA.03.08

The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be found online at: http://www.egms.de/en/meetings/dgnc2007/07dgnc156.shtml

Published: April 11, 2007

© 2007 Leuze et al.
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/deed.en). You are free: to Share – to copy, distribute and transmit the work, provided the original author and source are credited.

Outline

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Objective: Recent experience indicates that many instable spine fractures should be stabilized with a combined anterior and posterior stabilization to avoid kyphotic deformation.

Methods: The autors used a postero-lateral approach with an unilateral pediculectomy to remove most parts of the soma and the adiacent discs of the fractured vertebra. Throughout the removed pedicle an expandible cage was introduced and then rotated about 90° in the place where the somatectomy has been performed. In all cases it was not necessary to retract the dura mater. When the cage was in the correct position it was expanded from the upper to the lower vertebra. The procedure was completed by a posterior stabilization with pedicle-screws.

Results: 20 patients with lumbar and thoracic spine fractures from T3 to L2, with and without neurological deficit, were treated with a combined anterior and posterior stabilization using a postero-lateral approach. In some cases the surgery was performed as an emergency treatment. None of the patients present added neurological deficit.

Conclusions: The postero-lateral approach for a combined anterior and posterior stabilization of thoracic and lumber spine fractures is a possible method that allows an excellent decompression and a good stabilization of thoracic and lumber spine fractures.