Sixteen cases of unstable thoracolumbar spinal fractures were treated early using short fixation with a pedicular screw system. During an average of two years follow-up neurological improvement was shown in II cases, according to Frankel's grading. Dislocation was repositioned well, and remained stable, but the kyphotic angle was reduced on average by 7.8° at follow-up. Three major causes for the loss of the kyphotic angle include breakage or bending of the screw, vertebral settling, and rod-screw loosening. Some authors suggest that pain is caused by the loss of the kyphotic angle. Fortunately, no postoperative severe pain or neurological damage occurred in any of our sases. Other techniques should be added to the short fixation and pedicular screw system, to retain the kyphotic angle.
