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

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: 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.

PURPOSE: We present a patient with a thoracic distraction injury who remained neurologically intact.

METHODS

The patient underwent thoracoscopic reduction and anterior fixation of the thoracic spine using a paired screw-rod construct.

RESULTS

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.

CONCLUSIONS

The endoscopic approach to the anterior thoracic spine was an excellent treatment option for this thoracic distraction injury.