OBJECTIVETo discuss the surgical skill, treatment effect and indications for reconstruction of vertebral lamina with skull titanium plate and autograft in the treatment of thoracolumbar vertebrae fracture.

METHODSFrom March 1999 to April 2007, 33 patients with thoracolumbar vertebrae fracture combined nerve injury were treated by reconstruction of vertebral lamina with skull titanium plate and autograft including 30 males and 3 females with an average age of 41 years ranging from 21 to 66. The fracture involved 3 cases in T11, 9 in T12, 16 in L1, 3 in L2 and 2 in L3. There were 12 cases with flexion fracture, 8 with extension fracture, and 13 with burst fracture. Five cases performed emergency operation and in the others the time from injury to operation was 5 to 12 days. GSS fixation was applied in 25 cases and AF in 8. The volume of vertebral canal, the stability of the spine, the height of vertebrae, and the nerve function were observed before and after operation.

RESULTSThese 33 patients were followed up for 1 to 3 years (means 25 months). The height of anterior column of the involved vertebrae changed from 58% to 96%, the cobb angle return from average of 26 degree to 2 degree, the volume of vertebral canal extended from 43% to 92%, respectively, when compared between preoperatively and postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONReconstruction of vertebral lamina with skull titanium plate and autograft which is a simple and safe treatment for thoracolumbar vertebrae fracture can increase the stability of spine and avoid second canal stenosis.