Early Surgical Treatment for Fracture-Dislocation of the Thoracic Spine in a Patient in Poor General Condition

Hirota R, Teramoto A, Abe Y, Irifune H and Yamashita T

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Japan
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Sapporo Maruyama Orthopedic Hospital, Japan
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Teine Keijinkai Hospital, Japan

^*Correspondance to: Ryosuke Hirota 

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Abstract:

Our case describes the early surgical treatment for a thoracic fracture-dislocation, with complete motor paralysis and sensory loss in a 74-year-old man who fell from a height. Associated injuries included traumatic aortic dissection and an acute subdural hematoma. We proceeded with posterior spinal decompression and fusion on the same day as the injury. His breathing status improved with postural drainage that was possible due to early spinal stabilization. The patient was discharged three months after surgery. As injuries to the thoracic spine result from high-energy trauma, patients are generally in poor health and surgical treatment is usually delayed. However, if a patient is medically stable, early surgical treatment should be considered despite other major injuries to reduce the risk of further spinal damage and facilitate post-injury care.

Keywords:

Spine damage control surgery; Poor general condition; Thoracic fracture-dislocation

Cite the Article:

Hirota R, Teramoto A, Abe Y, Irifune H, Yamashita T. Early Surgical Treatment for Fracture-Dislocation of the Thoracic Spine in a Patient in Poor General Condition. Clin Case Rep Int. 2022; 6: 1365.