Anterior decompression of burst fractures with neurological deficit

We reviewed 30 patients with burst fractures of the thoracic and lumbar spine treated by anterior surgical decompression and fusion between January 1983 and December 1987; 21 had partial neurological involvement while nine had complete paraplegia. At follow-up all patients with partial neurological involvement improved by one to three Frankel grades, whereas of the nine patients with complete paraplegia only one improved. Late kyphotic deformity was seen in 12 patients.