Surgical treatment has been performed for 21 cases of burst fractures of the lumbar spine between the years 1990 and 1993. Cases had different fracture levels varying between L2 and L4 and Farcy's criteria were used for evaluating the stability
Posterior reduction, fusion with Cotrel-Dubousset instrumentation and anterior decompression, fusion with Kaneda instrumentation were used in 15 and 3 cases respectively. Anterior decompression with strut graft and posterior fusion and CD instrumentation were performed in two cases. One case had anterior strut graft without decompression and posterior fusion with instrumentation. Dura rupture was repaired in four cases with fractured lamina
Posterior fusion and stabilization were to be adequate for sagittal plane aiignment, restoration and preser-vation in cases having a sagittal index between 15 and 25 degree and demonstrating grade III mechanical in-stability. Cases with a sagittal index above 25 degree and grade III mechanical instability necessitated anterior strut graft with posterior fusion and instrumentation to restore and preserve the sagittal plane aiignment. İt vvas also concluded that posterior procedure should be preferred first in cases with vertical fractures of the lamina.
Keywords: Lumbar spine, burst fractures.