Split coronal fractures of the lumbar spine. Treatment by posterior internal fixation and transpedicular bone grafting.

The clinical and radiological results of 12 patients with a split coronal vertebral fracture were analysed with minimum follow-up of 24 months. All patients were treated operatively with an AO internal spinal fixator and transpedicular bone grafting. The operation was supplemented with posterior bone grafts in 4 patients. All fractures healed without marked deformity. There were no vertebral body pseudarthroses. There were no neurological or vascular injuries due to the placement of pedicle screws or to transpedicular bone grafting. 10 patients, had excellent or good results.