Transforaminal osteotomy for traumatic thoracolumbar kyphosis

Objective To evaluate clinical effect of transforaminal osteotomy for traumatic thoracolumbar kyphosis with spinal cord injury. Methods Thirty two patients with traumatic thoracolumbar kyphosis underwent transforaminal osteotomy from Feb. 2006 to Feb. 2013, and they were retrospectively analyzed. Cobb angle, VAS score, Frankel grade before and after operation and at the follow-up were compared to evaluate of clinical efficacy and kyphosis correction. Results All patients were followed up for 6 to 72 months, average 26.2 months. The average kyphotic Cobb angle was 45.6° preoperatively, 5.8°postoperatively. The everage VAS score was 8.2 points preoperatively, and 3.1 points postoperatively. The differences were significant(P 0.05). The neural function grade of Frankel was grade C in 2 cases, grade D in 25 cases, grade E in 5 cases before operation, and after operation grade C in 1 case, grade D in 21 cases, grade E in 10 cases. The nerve function recovered in varying degrees in all patients after operation. Conclusion The transforaminal osteotomy for the treatment of traumatic thoracolumbar kyphosis can obtain satisfactory results. Transforaminal osteotomy is an open-closed type osteotomy, with the advantages of simple operation, less trauma, less bleeding, fewer complications, high safety, complete neural decompression,good osteotomy thoroughly and with good effect. It's a good operation mode in treatment of traumatic thoracolumbar kyphosis.