Purpose of study: There is a controversy in the surgical treatment of unstable thoracolumbar burst fractures scoring high on the Load Sharing Classification (LSC). We have been treating unstable thoracolumbar fractures with postero-lateral fusion using short segment instrumentation and in this study we investigated our complication rate. Methods and results: We retrospectively reviewed notes and radiographs of patients presenting with thoracolumbar burst fractures and stabilised with a short-segment instrumented postero-lateral fusion between 1998 and 2007. We identified 31 patients who had adequate documentation and radiographs. Twenty patients had a high (> =7) LSC score and none of these fixations failed. Overall early and late complication rate was low (one wound infection, one dehiscence and four unrelated infections), the one metalwork failure related to infection. Fifty-five percent of patients returned to full-time work. Approximately 50% of correction of kyphosis was lost but the average kyphosis at final follow-up was 11 degrees that we thought was acceptable. Conclusion: We concluded that treating unstable burst fractures with posterior instrumented fusion alone using a pedicle screw construct does not result in late instrumentation failure, high complication rate or unacceptable final deformity. Ethics approval: None. Interest Statement: None

Study Design: Retrospective study with clinical and radiological evaluation of 29 patients with congenital scoliosis who underwent 31 short segment anterior instrumented fusions of lateral hemivertebrae. Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of early surgical anterior instrumented fusion with partial preservation of the HV in the treatment of progressive congenital scoliosis in children below the age of 6. Summary of background data: A variety of treatments have been described in the literature for the treatment of HV. We report the results of a novel technique. Materials and Methods: Between 1996 and 2005, 29 consecutive patients with 31 lateral HV and progressive scoliosis underwent short segment anterior instrumentation and fusion with preservation of the HV. Mean age at surgery was 2.9 years. Mean follow-up period was 6.3 years. Results: Preoperative segmental Cobb angle averaging 39°, was corrected to 150 after surgery, being 15º at the last follow up (60% of improvement). Compensatory cranial and caudal curves corrected by approximately 50% and did not change significantly on follow up. The angle of segmental kyphosis averaged 13º before surgery, 12º after surgery, and 12° at follow up. There was 2 wound infection requiring surgical debridment, 1 intraoperative fracture of the vertebral body and 1 case lost correction due to implant failure. All went on to stable bony union. There were no neurologic complications. Conclusions: Early diagnosis and early and aggressive surgical treatment are mandatory for a successful treatment of congenital scoliosis and to prevent the development of secondary compensatory deformities. Anterior instrumentation is a safe and effective technique capable of transmitting a high amount of convex compression allowing short segment fusion which is of great importance in the growing spine