Analysis of the Advantages of Wiltse Approach Ligamentotaxis Method for Thoracolumbar Fractures

Wei Baixing,Li Hongfei,Chen Xipeng,Wu Han,Liu Taipu

doi:10.36959/453/574

Abstract

The Wiltse approach ligamentotaxis (WALT) is a combination of paravertebral muscle natural gap access and posterior longitudinal ligament tension, which can achieve good fracture repositioning and indirect spinal canal decompression, thus avoiding the disadvantages of traditional posterior direct decompression approach. This paper provides a detailed explanation and analysis of WALT through clinical cases.

Highlights

The thoracolumbar segment of the spine is T10-L2, which is the conversion point of the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae, this area of the lumbar vertebrae relative to the thoracic vertebrae mobility, and this junction of the spine itself is more active, carrying a large load, and for the lumbar is major muscle and paraspinal muscle protection is weakened area, and most often injured [1]
There are drawbacks to traditional surgery, such as intractable postoperative low back pain, which is often associated with loss of innervation, ischemia, atrophy, disuse, and necrosis of the paravertebral muscles caused by paravertebral muscle stripping [3]
52 cases were indirectly decompressionreduced via the Wiltse approach ligamentotaxis (WALT) method and 51 cases were decompression-reduced by the traditional posterior direct decompression approach

Summary

Introduction

The thoracolumbar segment of the spine is T10-L2, which is the conversion point of the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae, this area of the lumbar vertebrae relative to the thoracic vertebrae mobility, and this junction of the spine itself is more active, carrying a large load, and for the lumbar is major muscle and paraspinal muscle protection is weakened area, and most often injured [1]. The thoracolumbar spinal canal is a region of spinal cord, conus, cauda equina, Accepted: September 24, 2021. The long operation time and high bleeding are the disadvantages of direct decompression in the traditional operation

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion