[Advanced progress on the treatment of anterior approach to the thoracolumbar vertebral fractures].

Thoracolumbar fractures are common and severe traumas. Anterior approaches can achieve adirect spinal cord decompression and reconstruct anterior column height what load bearing the major load distribution of the spine. Therefore, anterior approach is an important method in the treatment of thoracolumbar fractures. With the application of pedicle screw, most of the patients were treated with posterior approaches.Because of the unique advantages of anterior approach, the posterior approach can not be replaced it.The review summarizes the biomechanical characteristics? indications? fixation devices? bone grafting method and technique of the anterior approach and in order to provide better evidence for clinical treatment of thoracolumbar fractures.