Osteosintesi e artrodesi circonferenziale in caso di "burst-split fracture" di L2

We present the case of a burst-split fracture of L2 presenting with paraplegia in a young woman. After surgical decompression and posterior L1–3 instrumentation the patient significantly improved and her consent to a second anterior approach was not given. Six months later, after a moderate lumbar trauma we documented a rupture of the pedicular screws with further L2 collapse and kyphosis. The patient was then submitted to revision of the posterior instrumentation and further anterior arthrodesis through an anterolateral retroperitoneal approach with implant of an expandable cage. The case confirms the low bone healing rate of this type of fractures in which a circumferential arthrodesis is mandatory.