Efficacy of Ligamentotaxis for Thoracic and Lumbar Traumatic Fractures and Factors Influence Outcome.

Abstract

Background: Traumatic thoracic and lumbar fractures are very common specially in the thoracolumbar junction and the most common causes are road traffic accidents and falling from height. Aim of the Work: to evaluate efficacy of ligamentotaxis in thoracic and lumbar compressed and burst spine fractures using intact posterior longitudinal ligament and factors affect its outcome without anterior vertebral decompression through repositioning retropulsed segments, restoring vertebral height. Patients and Methods: This study was conducted on 20 patients (with Non-propability convenience sample) with traumatic thoracic and lumbar spine fractures with intact posterior longitudinal ligament in El-maadi military hospital, Ain Shams university hospital during the period of 2017-2018. Results: The most common postoperative complication was infection in 5 % of patients and CSF leakage infection in 5 % of patients. Conclusion: The outcome in the study were successful in 95% of patients as reduction of retropulsed part occurred by the intact posterior longitudinal ligament.