Neurological improvement associated with late decompression of the thoracolumbar spinal cord

We reviewed the cases of 20 patients admitted to our institution with thoracolumbar spinal cord injury who had previously undergone laminectomy and/or spinal instrumentation. Thirteen patients had a mass in the spinal canal, and 7 had kyphotic deformities. The lateral extracavitary approach to the spine and posterior stabilization when indicated were done in each. Seventeen patients obtained substantial neurological improvement. All 7 patients with kyphosis regained the ability to walk, as did all but 3 of the nonambulatory patients with a mass in the spinal canal. Morbidity was limited to pneumothorax and 1 case of late kyphosis associated with premature removal of the spinal fixation devices. Elective anterior approaches for reconstruction of the spinal canal with appropriate stabilization afford the best opportunity for neurological improvement in cases of thoracolumbar spinal cord injury.