Distraction injury to thoracic spine treated with thoracoscopic dual-rod fixation.

Abstract

Thoracic hyperextension fracture-dislocation is a rare pattern of traumatic spinal injury, typically associated with gross spinal instability and severe neurological deficit. These extremely unstable injuries require internal fixation despite their potentially benign clinical presentation. We present a patient with a thoracic distraction injury who remained neurologically intact. The patient underwent thoracoscopic reduction and anterior fixation of the thoracic spine using a paired screw-rod construct. Postoperatively, the patient remained neurologically intact and had no complications related to his thoracic fixation and fusion. Follow-up radiographs showed maintenance of thoracic alignment and bony fusion. The endoscopic approach to the anterior thoracic spine was an excellent treatment option for this thoracic distraction injury.