Corpectomy for burst fracture

Abstract

Corpectomy for burst fractures is a well-established surgical treatment in cases of neurological injury, severe kyphosis, or segmental instability. With the use of the common anterior cervical approach, direct decompression, reduction, and stabilization can be achieved. The complications are similar to those of any anterior cervical approach, except for greater bleeding tendency of the traumatized tissue and fractured bone, and the presence of traumatic dural tears. No special operating room setting or equipment is needed beyond what is required for an elective anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. This operative treatment can facilitate rehabilitation of neurologically injured patients even in the absence of neurologic improvement, by enabling rapid mobilization and range of motion therapy for the affected limbs and torso muscles. © 2010 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.