Anterior spinal cord decompression for lesions of the thoracic and lumbar spine, techniques, new methods of internal fixation results

Seventy-nine patients, 51 with a fresh neurologic deficit, underwent anterior spinal cord decompression, block bone grafting and anterior internal fixation. AO plates were used in nine patients, Dwyer cables in 15, anterior Harrington systems in 20, and solid Hall rods with Dwyer screws in 23. Cases included 13 tumors (six metastatic, five primary malignant, two benign), 15 late kyphotics (13 congenital and two old tuberculosis), 15 pyogenic (nontuberculous) infections, 32 fractures and four thoracic discs. Levels of decompression were from T5 to L5 with the majority (23) at L1. The neurologic deficit improved in 100% of those with incomplete paraplegia, and was graded according to the Frankel classification. None was made worse. Surgical indications were: progressive neurologic deficit in 51 patients, tumors in 13, correction of deformity in 55, failure of infection to respond to conservative measures in 15, cachexia in nine, (many patients had more than one indication). Bone grafts included 11 rib grafts, 24 block iliac grafts with ribs and 44 iliac block grafts. Complications included three nonunions, two common iliac vein lacerations, one death (pulmonary) and two post-thoractomy syndrome. The more recent use of an anterior Harrington distraction system allows for greater correction of kyphotic deformities and more rigid internal fixation which in time allows for early ambulation in a brace. Supplementary posterior fixation is generally no longer necessary except where more than one vertebral body is resected.