Long Segmental Fixation and Bone Graft in the Treatment of Thoracolumbar Vertebral Fracture and Dislocation Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis

YAN Ting-zhen; WEI Yan-chun; YI Guang-kun

Abstract：Objective To investigate the effects of posterior long segmental fixation used USS system and bone graft in the treatment of thoracolumbar vertebral fracture and dislocation patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Methods Form January 2011 to July 2012,17 ankylosing spondylitis cases with thoracolumbar vertebral fracture and dislocation were confirmed by clinical symptoms,images(X-ray and CT,MRI)in our department of,all patients had a history of trauma. 9 patients had var-ying degrees of neurological dysfunction. All patients accepted surgical treatment with posterior long segmental fixation used USS system and bone graft. The operation time,blood lose and postoperative complications was recorded in this study. The clin-ical outcomes were evaluated by VSA scores,neurological function recovery and clinical bone fusion. Results The operation time was 160 ~ 250 min,the blood loss was 300 ~ 700 mL. All of the patients were followed up for 3 ~ 6 months(mean 4. 5 months),and the symptom of thoracolumbar pain significantly were relieved,there was no incision infection and patient die,2 patients had pneumonia during perioperative. 8 cases of which had neurological dysfunction got different degrees of improve-ment after the operation. Clinical evidence of bone fusion was observed in all of the 17 patients. There were no loosening and breakage of internal fixation in the later followed up. Conclusion Posterior long segmental fixation used USS system and bone graft can effectively improve the reliability and stability of the fixation in AS patients with thoracolumbar vertebral fracture and dislocation. It can reduce pain and increase the probability of bone fusion in AS patients significantly,and also it can improve the patients' neurological dysfunction.