CORRECTIVE MEASURES FOLLOWING FRACTURE OF THE THORACIC AND LUMBAR VERTEBRAE IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

Spinal column trauma with a fracture of the breast and lumbar spine is with 2-3 % relatively uncommon in the pediatric patient population (f rom birth - 16 years). In a review of 22 patients (7-15 years old) tre ated between 1978-1988 the individual management of treatment is repor ted. The goal of our study was to describe the absolute indications fo r the operative treatment and the difference between conservative and operative procedure depending on the age of the patient. The follow-up study after an average of 7 years and 8 months demonstrated an improv ement of the neurological status (neurological status of Frankel) of 8 patients and a spontaneous correction of kyphotic angle from 21-degre es after treatment to 3-degrees. The conclusion: The treatment must be individual and depends on the age of the patient.