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Original Article
Related Factors of Ligamentotaxis with Posterior Instrumentation for the Surgical Treatment of Thoracolumbar Bursting Fracture
Sang-Bum Kim, M.D., Taek-Soo Jeon, M.D., Seung-Hwan Kim, M.D., Han Chang, M.D., Cheol-Mog Hwang, M.D.
Journal of the Korean Fracture Society 2010;23(2):213-219.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12671/jkfs.2010.23.2.213
Published online: April 30, 2010

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Inje University College of Medicine, Haeundae Paik Hospital, Busan, Korea.

*Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Konyang University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea.

Department of Radiology, Konyang University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea.

Address reprint requests to: Taek-Soo Jeon, M.D. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Spine Center, Inje University Haeundae Paik Hospital, 1435, Jwa-dong, Haeundae-gu, Busan 612-030, Korea. Tel: 82-51-797-0240, Fax: 82-51-797-0249, sirjeon@paik.ac.kr
• Received: April 3, 2009   • Revised: September 22, 2009   • Accepted: February 5, 2010

Copyright © 2010 The Korean Fracture Society

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  • Purpose
    To investigate factors influencing the amount of indirect reduction by ligamentotaxis according to timing of surgery, extent of surgery, and characteristics of fractures.
  • Materials and Methods
    We reviewed 22 cases of thoracolumbar fracture which had been performed posterior instrumentation and fusion using pedicle screw system. We divided patients into each group according to timing of surgery, number of fusion segment, insertion of screw on fractured vertebra, and rupture of posterior ligament complex, and Denis type. We measured changes of kyphotic angle, anterior vertebral height and wedge angle on plain radiographs, and we compared spinal canal area before and after operation using computed tomographic scans.
  • Results
    Kyphotic angle, anterior vertebral height, wedge angle, and area of spinal canal showed significant improvement postoperatively. The wedge angle improved significantly operated within 3 days after injury, however, kyphotic angle and anterior vertebral height had no correlation with variable factors except the rupture of posterior ligament complex. The amount of restoration of spinal canal also affected only by rupture of posterior ligament complex.
  • Conclusion
    There is little relationship between timing of surgery and canal restoration, so we cannot conclude that prompt operation helps reduction of narrowed spinal canal. Otherwise narrowed spinal canal had much less restored by ligamentotaxis when there were rupture of posterior ligament complexes.
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Figure 1
Modified Mumford's method to measure spinal canal area on computed tomography using PACS.
(A) Estimated normal spinal canal area, (B) measured spinal canal area.
jkfs-23-213-g001.jpg
Table 1
Characteristics of the 22 patients who underwent operation for thoracolumbar fracture using ligamentotaxis
jkfs-23-213-i001.jpg

*Posterior ligament complex, Spinal canal area.

Table 2
Change of kyphotic angle (KA) and wedge angle (WA)
jkfs-23-213-i002.jpg

*Posterior ligament complex.

Table 3
Change of anterior height (AH)
jkfs-23-213-i003.jpg

*Posterior ligament complex.

Table 4
Change of canal encroachment
jkfs-23-213-i004.jpg

*Spinal canal area, Posterior ligament complex.

Figure & Data

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        Related Factors of Ligamentotaxis with Posterior Instrumentation for the Surgical Treatment of Thoracolumbar Bursting Fracture
        J Korean Fract Soc. 2010;23(2):213-219.   Published online April 30, 2010
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      Related Factors of Ligamentotaxis with Posterior Instrumentation for the Surgical Treatment of Thoracolumbar Bursting Fracture
      Image
      Figure 1 Modified Mumford's method to measure spinal canal area on computed tomography using PACS. (A) Estimated normal spinal canal area, (B) measured spinal canal area.
      Related Factors of Ligamentotaxis with Posterior Instrumentation for the Surgical Treatment of Thoracolumbar Bursting Fracture

      Characteristics of the 22 patients who underwent operation for thoracolumbar fracture using ligamentotaxis

      *Posterior ligament complex, Spinal canal area.

      Change of kyphotic angle (KA) and wedge angle (WA)

      *Posterior ligament complex.

      Change of anterior height (AH)

      *Posterior ligament complex.

      Change of canal encroachment

      *Spinal canal area, Posterior ligament complex.

      Table 1 Characteristics of the 22 patients who underwent operation for thoracolumbar fracture using ligamentotaxis

      *Posterior ligament complex, Spinal canal area.

      Table 2 Change of kyphotic angle (KA) and wedge angle (WA)

      *Posterior ligament complex.

      Table 3 Change of anterior height (AH)

      *Posterior ligament complex.

      Table 4 Change of canal encroachment

      *Spinal canal area, Posterior ligament complex.


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