The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Vol 61, Issue 7 1011-1017, Copyright © 1979 by Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Inc
A single-stage combined surgical approach for vertebral resections
SS Fountain
Five patients with a destructive vertebral lesion (infectious or tumorous)
in the thoracolumbar or lumbar spine were treated with single-stage
resection, anterior spine fusion, and posterior Harrington distraction
instrumentation. Twelve patients with a fracture-dislocation were also so
treated. Correction of vertebral instability and deformity and early
mobilization of the patient were the advantages realized. Of the seventeen
patients, ten with an incomplete neural deficit improved, three of them to
complete recovery. The conditions of five patients with traumatic, complete
paraplegia remained unchanged postoperatively. All patients began walking
or sitting within fourteen days of the operative procedure. The reported
complications were one failure of Harrington instrumentation eight months
after the operation and one wound infection one month postoperatively.