• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.59 no.2
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• pp.122-128
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• 2016

Objective : To illustrate the technique of single-stage posterior subtotal corpectomy and circumferential reconstruction for the treatment of unstable thoracolumbar burst fractures and to evaluate the radiographical and clinical outcomes of patients treated using this technique. Methods : 16 consecutive patients with unstable thoracolumbar burst fractures were treated with single-stage posterior subtotal corpectomy and circumferential reconstruction. The mean patient age was 54.8 years. The mean follower up period was 25 months. Five patients suffered from T12 fractures, 10 from L1, 1 from L2. The segmental kyphosis, neurologic status, visual analogue scale for back pain was evaluated before surgery and at follow up. Results : The segmental kyphotic angle improved from 18.5 degrees before surgery to -9.2 degrees at the last follow up. The mean correction angle was 28.9 degrees. The mean surgical time was 255 minutes, and a mean intraoperative blood loss was 1073 mL. Intraoperative complications included two dural tears, and a superficial wound infection. There were no other severe complications. The mean visual analog scale of back pain decreased from a mean value of 6.6 to 2 at the last follow up. Conclusion : The single-stage posterior subtotal corpectomy and circumferential reconstruction achieved satisfactory kyphosis correction with direct visualization of the circumferentially decompressed spinal cord, as well as good fusion with less blood loss and complications. It is a safe and reliable surgical treatment option for unstable thoracolumbar burst fractures.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.360-364
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• 2000

Objective : To investigate the prognostic factors associated with outcome in patients with ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament. Method : During the past 4 years, we have operated on 35 patients with cervical OPLL. Anterior cervical decompression(total or subtotal corpectomy, discectomy, and removal of the OPLL) and interbody fusion with iliac bone were performed in all patients. Results : Eight cases(22.9%) were continuous type, 11(31.4%) segmental, 13(37.1%) Mixed, and 3(8.6%) localized type. Thirty-two patients(91.4%) showed an excellent or good results. Conclusion : These results indicate that surgical treatment should be considerated in case of clinical grading higher than II and the surgical outcome is worse when duration of preoperative symptom is longer and when percentage of spinal narrowing is higher. Anterior cervical decompression and interbody fusion seems to be a better method in patients with lesions limited to one or two level. Age at surgery did not significantly affect the outcom.