Objective To review the latest progress in classification system of thoracolumbar fractures and its surgical treatment with posterior approaches. Methods Recent l iterature about classification system of thoracolumbar fractures and its surgical treatment was reviewed. Results For the treatment of thoracolumbar fracture, the surgeon first should decide whether the surgical treatment was necessary. Recently, a new classification system had been developed to help the surgeon make the right decision. The surgical methods included short segment internal fixation and long segment internalfixation with or without fusion, and minimally invasive internal fixation. Conclusion The progress in the surgical treatmentof thoracolumbar fracture will help spinal surgeon decide the necessary surgery beneficial for the patients. The most appropriate and effective surgical method with the minimum damage should be used to treat the fracture. The advantages of non-fusion surgical treatment still need a further study.
ObjectiveTo introduce and interpret ABCD classification system for subaxial cervical spine injury. MethodsThe literature related to subaxial cervical spine injury classification system was extensively reviewed, analyzed, and summarized so as to introduce the ABCD classification system. ResultsThe ABCD classification system for subaxial cervical spine injury consists of 3 parts. The first part of the proposed classification is an anatomical descri ption of the injury; it del ivers the information whether injury is bony, ligamentous, or a combined one. The second part is the classification of nerve function, spinal stenosis, and spinal instabil ity. The last part is optional and denotes radiological examination which is used to define injury type. Several letters have been used for simplicity to del iver the largest amount of information. And a treatment algorithm based on the proposed classification is suggested. ConclusionThe ABCD classification system is proposed for simplification. However further evaluation of this classification is needed.