Posterior laminectomy for thoracolumbar fracture and spinal cord compression：a follow-up on Cobb’s angle and vertebral height

Li Jun; Wang Yong-sheng; Feng Ting; Wang Bo; Qiu Jian-zhao

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.2016.22.008

Abstract：BACKGROUND:Due to special physiological and anatomical location, stability of the spine is very complicated during thoracolumbar fractures. It is difficult to identify the stability of the spine. It should be based on their individual circumstances, to explore more effective internal fixation repair method. <br> OBJECTIVE:To explore the Cobb’s angle and vertebral height of patients with thoracolumbar fracture and spinal cord compression treated with posterior laminectomy and screw fixation, and compared with anterior laminectomy. <br> METHODS:One hundred patients with thoracolumbar fracture and spinal cord compression, who were treated in the Panyu District Central Hospital from January 2013 to November 2014, were enroled in this study. The patients were equaly and randomly divided into posterior laminectomy fixation group and anterior laminectomy fixation group. Tactile and sports of American Spinal Injury Association scores, Cobb’s angle and vertebral height were assessed before treatment and 1 month after treatment, and fixation effects were compared between the twogroups. <br> RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) No significant difference in each index was detected between the two groups preoperatively (P> 0.05). (2) Tactile and sports of American Spinal Injury Association scores, Cobb’s angle and vertebral height were better in the posterior laminectomy fixation group than in the anterior laminectomy fixation group at 1 month postoperatively (P< 0.05). (3) These findings indicated that compared with the anterior laminectomy fixation, posterior laminectomy fixation for thoracolumbar fracture combined with spinal cord compression obtained better outcomes, and could obviously relieve spinal cord compression. Posterior laminectomy fixation isasafe and effective treatment method for thoracolumbar fracture and spinal cord compression.