Stabilization of a thoracolumbar flexion-distraction injury utilizing a temporary interspinous process construct: technical note.

Abstract

Many techniques for fixation in the thoracolumbar spine have been described. Occasionally, particularly during operative management of unstable ligamentous or bony injuries, temporizing fixation may be required. The authors report the case of a patient with a ligamentous thoracolumbar flexion-distraction injury who underwent reduction, posterior instrumentation and fusion, and temporary fixation of the destabilized segment utilizing a novel interspinous process screw/rod construct. This construct was stable after placement and allowed for traditional instrumentation to be placed without causing secondary injury to the spinal cord. To the authors' knowledge, this technique has not previously been described.