Traumatic thoracolumbar fracture–dislocation in an infant: surgical management using posterior thoracolumbar instrumentation

This article discusses a rare case of a spinal fracture-dislocation in an infant. It details the surgical management of the injury. An 8-month-old girl was involved in a car accident and suffered a complete spinal cord injury. The injury was at the T12-L1 level and caused kyphosis. Posterior thoracolumbar instrumentation was performed successfully to correct the kyphotic deformity. This also helped with the rehabilitation course.

• 1
  Posterior thoracolumbar instrumentation can be safely performed in infants with traumatic thoracolumbar fracture–dislocation.
• 2
  The instrumentation allows for correction of kyphotic deformity, facilitation of rehabilitation, and improvement in health-related quality of life.
• 3
  Removal of the instrumentation after 7 months can help prevent crankshaft deformity in growing vertebrae.