Corrective osteotomy of global sagittal imbalance in the neglected fracture-dislocation thoracic spine

BACKGROUND: Neglected fracture-dislocation thoracic spine without neurological deficit is an extremely rare injury. Current studies reveal that global sagittal balance is very important for quality of life (QOL). Complex deformity causes difficulty with dissection in the surgical planning and type of spinal osteotomy. Restoration of global balance parameters are related to a successful outcome, if the surgeon understands the morphology of complex bone deformity and the surgical tactics of spinal osteotomy. CASE PRESENTATION: A 23-year-old female presented with untreated thoracic kyphotic deformity without paraplegia (ASIA E), following a motor vehicle accident 2 months earlier. Radiographic imaging and computed tomography scan revealed a complex fracture-dislocation at the T8–T9 level with kyphosis deformity, abnormal C7 plump line, and 65 degrees of sagittal Cobb's angle (T7–T11). The multilevel Ponte osteotomy surgical technique was performed at the apex of the kyphosis. After the patient underwent corrective osteotomy and instrumentation, postoperative radiograph and CT scan revealed 24 degrees of sagittal Cobb's angle (T7–T11). The patient's balance was recovered when followed up at 1 year. The patient's quality of life was improved and thus she was extremely satisfied with this treatment. CONCLUSION: Neglected fracture-dislocation thoracic spine without neurological deficit is rarely seen. It is a complex deformity injury. In this case, we performed multilevel Ponte osteotomy, instead of osteosynthesis, to restore the complex deformity that was affecting global balance. Successful outcomes are the result of good surgical preoperative planning and the surgical tactics of spinal osteotomy.