Fixation with Harrington Rods of Unstable Thorace-Lumbar Spine Fracture and Fracture-Dislocation

Lee, Kwang Jin; Yune, Seung Ho; Min, Hyung Sik; Kang, Gui Sik

Abstract

Harrington Instrumentation and Spinal Fusion to treat the unstable fracture and fracture-dislocation of the thoraco-Iumbar spine is a very effective method. This method not only decompresses the spinal cord and nerve roots by anatomical reduction and preserves spinal stability, but also makes possible early rehabilitation and prevention of complications. A clinical study was made of twelve patients who were hospitalized and treated at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Chung-Nam National University Hospital from Oct. 1978 to J une 1980. The following results were obtained: 1. Of twelve patients, five(42%) had a flexion-compression fracture, four(33.3%) had a shear fracture-dislocation, two(16.7%) had a flexion-rotational fracture, and one(8.3%) had a bursting fracture. 2. Seven(58%) had a complete neural deficit and five (42%) had an Incomplete neural deficit. Two (28%) of the seven patients with complete neural deficit showed slight neurological recovery, but two patients(40%) with incomplete neural deficit gained complete recovery. 3. Correction of the kyphotic deformity was 16 degrees on the average, and the displacement was completely corrected in five of the six patients. 4. During the follow-up period, there was a final loss of about five degrees (range 3-16 degree) of kyphotic correction In our patients and there was no difference in loas of correction between laminectomy group and control group. 5. After an average of 18 postoperative days, ambulation was started, and acute hospital days were 77 days on the average. 6. There was no difference in spinal fusion rate between brace-wearing group (4 cases) and cast Immobilized group (8 cases). 7. Two cases (16.6%) of the twelve cases showed spontaneous interbody fusion.