[A case of complete Th7-Th8 fracture-dislocation treated by one-stage posterior and transthoracic approach]

The authors present a case of severe traumatic fracture-dislocation of Th8 with total anterior slippage of Th7 on Th8 without spinal cord injury. The patient underwent one-stage anterior and posterior decompression. Posterior surgery included Th4 to Th9 laminectomy and Th7-Th8 facetectomy and posterior bone graft. Anterior procedure included Th8 vertebrectomy, anterior interbody bone graft and anterior plating with usage of "Zespol" plate and screws anchored in Th6, Th7, Th8 and Th9 vertebral bodies. Postoperative period was uneventful and the patient remained neurologically intact. He was placed in a plaster jacket and mobilized of fifth day after surgery.