Treatment of old thoracolumbar fractures combined with paraparesis through anterior decompression plus posterior intradural release

Abstract

Objective To explore the effect of anterior decompression plus posterior intradural release in treatment of old thoracolumbar fractures with paraparesis. Methods A total of 22 patients with old thoracolumbar fractures with paraparesis were admitted to our hospital since January 2004 to Jan-uary 2008. Before admission, all patients were treated with decompression and internal fixation with pos-terior pedicle system, with bony compression to the spinal cord found through CT scanning and intact spi-nal cord found by MRI but without obvious neurofunction recovery. Of all, 20 patients were kept with the original posterior fixation except for two patients that were fixed with Z-plate after removal of posterior hardware. Autologous bone grafts from iliac were utilized in all patients. Intradural release was done 3-6 months after anterior decompression. Results Of all, 19 patients were followed up for 17-49 months (average 28 months). Twenty patients obtained varied recovery of neurofunction after anterior decompres-sion, with ASIA motor scores increasing from average 59.4 points before decompression to 71.3 after de-compression. The followed-up patients won further recovery after secondary posterior intradural release, with ASIA motor scores further increasing to average 80.6 points. Conclusion For patients with old thoracolumbar fractures combined with paraparesis, the release of intradural sear and fibrocompression is also important besides anterior decompression. Key words: Spinal fractures; Thoracic vertebrae; Lumbar vertebrae; Paraparesis; Decompression