1. Segmental spinal instrumentation in the management of fractures of the thoracic and lumbar spine.
- Author
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Bernard TN Jr, Whitecloud TS 3rd, Rodriguez RP, and Haddad RJ Jr
- Subjects
- Accidents, Traffic, Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Female, Fractures, Bone diagnostic imaging, Humans, Joint Dislocations diagnostic imaging, Joint Dislocations surgery, Male, Middle Aged, Radiography, Fracture Fixation, Internal methods, Fractures, Bone surgery, Lumbar Vertebrae injuries, Orthopedic Fixation Devices, Spinal Fusion instrumentation, Thoracic Vertebrae injuries
- Abstract
Eleven cases of fracture of the thoracic and lumbar spine were treated with segmental spinal instrumentation (Luque rods). The majority of these injuries occurred in motor vehicular accidents or falls from a height and were usually associated with multisystem trauma. This method of instrumentation provided immediate rigid internal fixation, which obviated the need for postoperative orthoses, allowed easier nursing care and early ambulation, and facilitated rehabilitation of patients with spinal cord injury. At 13 months' average follow-up, there have been no instances of wire breakage, rod deformation, or deterioration of neurologic status. This favorable experience suggests that segmental spinal instrumentation should be considered as an alternative mode of spinal instrumentation in fractures of the thoracic and lumbar spine.
- Published
- 1983
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