Abstract
Anterior direct decompression and fusion using Z-Plate fixation was done on 23 patients with burst fractures of thoracolumbar vertebral bodies. The postoperative results were evaluated clinically and radiologically. The mean age of patient at surgery was 44.2 years. The mean follow-up period on all patients was 1.8 years. Neurologic evaluation was assessed according to a modified Frankel classification. There were 17 patients had neurological deficit at trauma and after surgery 13 patients were improved neurologically. Post-operatively, there were no major complications, such as infection, hardware breakage, and nonunion. The kyphosis gradually advanced postoperatively, by an averaged angle of 3 degrees at final follow-up as measured by the Cobb method. The Z-Plate system is simple and easy to install surgically. The low profile of the screw head helps to prevent late vascular complications. Postoperative assessment by MRI is possible to examine because the fixation system components are fabricated from titanium. The Z-Plate proved useful for anterior spinal column reconstruction.
