Anterior decompression and autograft fusion under video-assisted thoraco-scopic to treat lower thoracic vertebrae bursting fracture complicated with intervertebral disc injury / 中华骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

ObjectiveTo study the effect of anterior decompression and autograft fusion under video-assisted thoracoscopic to treat lower thoracic vertebrae bursting fracture complicated with intervertebral disc injury.MethodsEleven patients who suffered from lower thoracic vertebrae bursting fracture complicated with intervertebral disc injury were treated with anterior decompression and autograft fusion under video-assisted thoracoscopic from December 2005 to May 2008.The involved vertebrae included T12 in 5cases,T11 in 4 cases,T10 in 1 case and Ts in 1 case.According to the AO classification,4 patients were A2.2and 7 were A3.According to the Frankel classification,5 patients were rated as grade A,2 as grade C,2 as grade D and 2 as grade E.ResultsEvery patient underwent successful operation.The operation time was 3.5-8 h(average,5.2±1.6).The blood loss was 600-3800 ml(average,1195±576).One patient got intercostal neuralgia after operation,which disappeared after treating with analgesic drugs for 7 days.All patients were followed up for 36-65 months (average,49.5±5.9).All patients got bony fusion according to the CT scans 24month after operation.There were no neurological function deterioration and other instrument complications happened.At the last follow-up,5 patients were rated as grade A,2 as grade D and 4 as grade E,according to the Frankel classification.ConclusionAnterior decompression and autograft fusion under video-assisted thoracoscopic is an effective method to treat lower thoracic vertebrae bursting fracture complicated with intervertebral disc injury.However,this method needs higher technology and has a long study-curve.