Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2026
Minimally Invasive Treatment for Thoracolumbar Burst Fracture Using Sagittal Alignment Screws and A Trauma Reduction Device
Published on: November 8, 2024
Distraction injury to thoracic spine treated with thoracoscopic dual-rod fixation
Gregory P Lekovic1, Eric M Horn, Curtis A Dickman
1Division of Neurological Surgery, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ 85013, USA.
Background Context:
Thoracic hyperextension fracture-dislocation is a rare pattern of traumatic spinal injury, typically associated with gross spinal instability and severe neurological deficit. These extremely unstable injuries require internal fixation despite their potentially benign clinical presentation.
Purpose:
We present a patient with a thoracic distraction injury who remained neurologically intact.
Methods:
The patient underwent thoracoscopic reduction and anterior fixation of the thoracic spine using a paired screw-rod construct.
Results:
Postoperatively, the patient remained neurologically intact and had no complications related to his thoracic fixation and fusion. Follow-up radiographs showed maintenance of thoracic alignment and bony fusion.
Conclusions:
The endoscopic approach to the anterior thoracic spine was an excellent treatment option for this thoracic distraction injury.
