Anterior Fixation with Kaneda Device for Unstable Fractures of the Thoracolumbar Spine

Kim, Ki Soo; Kim, Yeub; Ko, Jae Woon; Kim, Sung Taek; Kim, Hyeong Seong

Abstract

Recently posterior stabilization with various instrumentation and fusion has been used for fractures of the thoracolumbar spine involving anterior and middle columns. However, these methods are sometimes inadequate to gain anatomical reduction and complete decompression especially in burst fractures. So anterior decompression and interbody fusion were frequently added as a second operation. Biomechanically a rigid anterior spinal instrument such as kaneda device can provide enough anterior decompression through partial or total corpectomy and adequate correction of kyphosis as an one stage operation. We have experienced 27 cases of Kaneda instrumentation via anterior approach for thoracolumbar fracture, most of them were burst fractures, from Jan. 1989 to June 1990. Of there 27 cases, 12 were followed up at least 1 year and reviewed. The results were as followed: l. Anterior spinal approach using Kaneda instrumentation provided sufficient anterior neural decompression and adequate correction of kyphotic deformity. It eliminates the second posterior procedure in most cases and enhances early solid union. Simultaneously, it allows early mobilization of patient with an application of brace. 2. Post-operative courses were eventful in most cases except a case of pathological fracture. 3. This procedure seemed to be one of the most suitable method for the treatment of burst fractures of the thoracolumber region. 4. Complications by Kaneda device itself were not developed in the early evaluation stage. However, on longer follow-up study over 1 year revealed some complications including 2 cases of screw breakage and one lateral wedging deformity.