Injuries to the thoracic and lumbar spine may result in severe instability with progressive neurologic defecit. Attention must be directed not only to restoring or improving neurologic function where possible, but also to promoting bony stability.
We have carried out one stage decompression-stabilization procedure consisted of Harrington and anterior spinal fusion with anterior decompression in a total of 6 patients. All 6 of these with thoraco-lumbar spinal injuries had a neurogic defecit.
The results have shown to be beneficial in restoring spinal alignment, allowing early mobilization of the patients, shortening rehabilitation, preventing the late complications of increasing deformity in all patients and recovering neurologic function in 4 cases with incomplete neurologic defecit.
