Primary thoracolumbar intraspinal malignant melanoma:A case report

BACKGROUND Primary intraspinal malignant melanoma is a very rare tumor that most often occurs in the cervical,thoracic,or thoracolumbar segment.CASE SUMMARY A rare case of primary thoracolumbar malignant melanoma is described.A 45-year-old female patient complained of low back pain with numbness and fatigue in both lower limbs.MR revealed an intradural space-occupying lesion at the thoracic 12 to lumbar 1 level.The tumor was partially excised,and a malignant melanoma was confirmed by histopathology.CONCLUSION Primary intraspinal malignant melanoma has rarely been reported,and surgical resection and related characteristics and diagnoses have been discussed.

Percutaneous Fixation as an Option for Traumatic Neurologically Intact Thoracolumbar Vertebral Fractures

Background: The most frequent spinal fracture is the thoracolumbar fracture. Minimally invasive percutaneous fixation of cases having thoracolumbar vertebral fractures without neurological impairments has remained controversial. The advantages of minimally invasive percutaneous fixation are decreasing muscle and soft tissue injury, decreasing blood loss and infection rate, in addition to shortening hospital stay and recovery times. In comparison to the open technique, percutaneous fixation is adequate for treating thoracolumbar (TL) fractures without causing neurological impairments & with satisfactory outcomes in terms of kyphosis decline. Elevated radiation exposure to the surgeon &the patient, lack of decompression and fusion via bone graft, & a steep learning curve are all disadvantages of percutaneous fixation of vertebral fractures. Methods: This study was retrospectively conducted on forty-eight patients, age ranging from 16 to 65 years old, with a thoracolumbar (TL) fracture without causing neurological impairments who were meeting the eligibility criteria for fixation in the period from July 2019 to January 2024. Results: We included the forty-eight patients who met the inclusion criteria (34 males and 14 females) their ages ranged from 16 to 65 years. The most common pathology was L1 fracture in 38 patients. No major complications were experienced, only wound infection in five patients which was treated efficiently with repeated dressings and broad-spectrum antibiotics. Four patients experienced misdirected screws, only in one patient the screw encroach into the spinal canal with no deficit experienced, while the other three showed minimally laterally deviated screws. Conclusion: The advantages of percutaneous pedicle screw fixation in thoracolumbar fractures through preservation of posterior musculature, are less blood loss, shorter operative time, lower infection risk, less post-operative pain, shorter rehabilitation time as well as a shorter hospital stay. Limitations of percutaneous fixation include the inability to achieve direct spinal canal decompression and, not having the option to perform a fusion and also requiring a learning curve to master the anatomy and technique.

Progress in The Application of Nursing Care Based on ERAS Concept after Thoracolumbar Fracture Surgery

Thoracic spine fracture is a common orthopedic injury that is usually caused by external forces acting directly on or transmitted to the thoracic spine through other parts of the spine.Thoracic spine fractures can be divided into two types:stable and unstable.An unstable fracture means that the relationship between the vertebral bodies is no longer stable,which may cause serious consequences such as spinal compression,nerve root compression,or spinal cord injury.Surgical treatment is often needed for patients with unstable fractures,nerve root compression,or spinal cord injury to restore stability and function to the thoracic spine.The probability of complications after thoracolumbar fracture surgery is high,which affects the outcome of surgical treatment.To improve postoperative rehabilitation outcomes,this article analyzed the value of nursing care based on the enhanced recovery after surgery(ERAS)concept for patients undergoing thoracolumbar fracture surgery.

Progress in the Treatment of Thoracolumbar Spinal Fractures with Internal Fixation of Injured Vertebrae with Screws

The thoracolumbar spine,due to its large range of motion and relatively fragile anatomical structure,is prone to traumatic fractures and has become one of the common types of fractures in clinical practice.Thoracic and lumbar fractures may lead to spinal instability,spinal stenosis,etc.,and early restoration of vertebral height and sequence is necessary.Although the technique of transpedicular screw internal fixation for traumatic vertebrae is effective in the short term,in the long run,there may be adverse situations such as fixation breakage and loosening,leading to loss of vertebral height and kyphosis deformity.The technique of internal fixation of injured vertebrae with screws is considered to minimize postoperative complications and is worthy of promotion and use.With the advancement of medical technology,imaging,and biomechanics,the treatment methods for thoracolumbar spinal fractures are becoming increasingly diverse.

Assessment of load-sharing thoracolumbar injury: A modified scoring system

BACKGROUND Many classification systems of thoracolumbar spinal fractures have been proposed to enhance treatment protocols,but none have achieved universal adoption.AIM To develop a new patient scoring system for cases with thoracolumbar injury classification and severity score(TLICS)=4,namely the load-sharing thoracolumbar injury score(LSTLIS).METHODS Based on thoracolumbar injury classification and severity score,this study proposes the use of the established load-sharing classification(LSC)to develop an improved classification system(LSTLIS).To prove the reliability and reproducibility of LSTLIS,a retrospective analysis for patients with thoracolumbar vertebral fractures has been conducted.RESULTS A total of 102 cases were enrolled in the study.The scoring trend of LSTLIS is roughly similar as the LSC scoring,however,the average deviation based on the former method is relatively smaller than that of the latter.Thus,the robustness of the LSTLIS scoring method is better than that of LSC.LSTLIS can further classify patients with TLICS=4,so as to assess more accurately this particular circumstance,and the majority of LSTLIS recommendations are consistent with actual clinical decisions.LSTLIS is a scoring system that combines LSC and TLICS to compensate for the lack of appropriate inclusion of anterior and middle column compression fractures with TLICS.Following preliminary clinical verification,LSTLIS has greater feasibility and reliability value,is more practical in comprehensively assessing certain clinical circumstances,and has better accuracy with clinically significant guidelines.

Surgical outcomes of mini-open Wiltse approach and conventional open approach in patients with single-segment thoracolumbar fractures without neurologic injury

This study aimed to introduce a novel mini-open pedicle screw fixation technique via Wiltse approach, and com- pared it with the traditional posterior open method. A total of 72 cases of single-segment thoracolumbar fractures without neurologic injury underwent pedicle screw fixation via two different approaches. Among them, 37 patients were treated using posterior open surgery, and 35 patients received mini-open operation via Wiltse approach. Crew placement accuracy rate, operative time, blood loss, postoperative drainage, postoperative hospitalization time, radiation exposure time, postoperative improvement in R value, Cobb＇s angle and visual analog scale （VAS） scores of the two methods were compared. There were no significant differences in the accuracy rate of pedicle screw placement, radiation exposure and postoperative R value and Cobb＇s angle improvement between the two groups. However, the mini-open method had obvious advantages over the conventional open method in operative time, blood loss, postoperative drainage, postoperative hospitalization time, and postoperative improvement in VAS. The mini-open pedicle screw technique could be applied in treatment of single-segment thoracolumbar fracture without neurologic injury and had advantages of less tissue trauma, short operative and rehabilitative time on the premise of guaranteed accuracy rate and no increased radiation exposure.

Imaging evaluation of traumatic thoracolumbar spine injuries: Radiological review

Spine fractures account for a large portion of musculoskeletal injuries worldwide. A classification of spine fractures is necessary in order to develop a common language for treatment indications and outcomes. Several classification systems have been developed based on injury anatomy or mechanisms of action, but they have demonstrated poor reliability, have yielded little prognostic information, and have not been widely used. For this reason, the Arbeitsgemeinschaftfür Osteosynthesefragen(AO) committee has classified thorocolumbar spine injuries based on the pathomorphological criteria into3 types(A: Compression; B: Distraction; C: Axial torque and rotational deformity). Each of these types is further divided into 3 groups and 3 subgroups reflecting progressive scale of morphological damage and the degree of instability. Because of its highly detailed sub classifications, the AO system has shown limited interobserver variability. It is similar to its predecessors in that it does not incorporate the patient's neurologic status.The need for a reliable, reproducible, clinically relevant, prognostic classification system with an optimal balance of ease of use and detail of injury description contributed to the development of a new classification system, the thoracolumbar injury classification and severity score(TLICS). The TLICS defines injury based on three clinical characteristics: injury morphology, integrity of the posterior ligamentous complex, and neurologic status of the patient. The severity score offers prognostic information and is helpful in decision making about surgical vs nonsurgical management.

Treatment of Thoracolumbar Vertebrate Fracture by Transpedicular Morselized Bone Grafting in Vertebrae for Spinal Fusion and Pedicle Screw Fixation

To enhance the fusion of graft bone in thoracolumbar vertebrae and minimize the postoperative loss of correction, short-segment pedicle screw fixation was reinforced with posterior moselizee bone grafting in vertebrae for spinal fusion in patients with thoracrolumbar vertebrate fractures. Seventy patients with thoracrolumbar vertebrate fractures were treated by short-segment pedicle screw fixation and were randomly divided into two groups. Fractures in group A （n=20） were rein-forced with posterior morselized bone grafting in vertebrae for spinal fusion, while patients group B （n=50） did not receive the morselized bone grafting for bone fusion. The two groups were compared in terms of kyphotic deformity, anterior vertebral height, instrument failure and neurological functions after the treatment. Frankel grading system was used for the evaluation of neurological evaluation and Denis scoring scale was employed for pain assessment. The results showed that the kyphosis correction was achieved in both group A and group B （group A： 6.4 degree; group B： 5.4 degree）/At the end of follow-up, kyphosis correction was maintained in group A but lost in group B （P=0.0001）. Postoperatively, greater anterior height was achieved in group A than in group B （P〈0.01）. During follow-up study, anterior vertebral height was maintained only in Group A （P〈0.001）. Both group A and group B showed good Denis pain scores （P1 and P2） but group A outdid group B in terms of control of severe and constant pain （P4 and P5）. By Frankel criteria, the changes in neurological functions in group A was better than those of group B （P〈0.001）. It is concluded that reinforcement of short-segment pedicle fixation with morselized bone grafting for the treatment of patients with thoracolumbar vertebrae fracture could achieve and maintain kyphosis correction, and it may also increase and maintain anterior vertebral height. Morselized bone grafting in vertebrae offers immediate spinal stability in patients with thoracolumbar vertebrate fractures, decreases the instrument failure and provides better postoperative pain control than without the morselized bone grafting.

An expert consensus on the evaluation and treatment of acute thoracolumbar spine and spinal cord injury in China

This is an expert consensus on the evaluation and treatment of thoracolumbar spinal injury, estab- lished from February 2009 to July 2010. The expert consensus consists mainly of six parts with a total of 54 recommendations including the overview （one item）; pre-hospital care （one item）; evaluation and diagnosis （13 items）; treatment （23 items）; prevention and treatment of major com- plications （12 items）; and rehabilitation （four items）. This is the first time that Chinese experts have published a consensus on spine and spinal cord injury. The expert consensus was established based on Delphi methods, literature analysis, and clinical experiences. Each recommendation is supported by and was interpreted using multi-level evidences. The level of agreement with the rec- ommendation among the panel members was assessed as either low, moderate, or strong. Each panel member was asked to indicate his or her level of agreement on a 5-point scale, with ＂1＂ cor- respondJng to neutrality and ＂5＂ representJng maxJmum agreement. Scores were aggregated across the panel members and an arithmetic mean was calculated. This mean score was then translated into low, moderate, or strong. After all of the votes were collected and calculated, the results showed no low-level recommendations, 10 moderate-level recommendations, and 44 strong-level recom- mendations. An expert consensus was reached and was recognized by Chinese spine surgeons. Wide-scale adoption of these recommendations is urgent in the management of acute thora- columbar spine and spinal cord injury in a broader attempt to create a standard evaluation and treatment strategy for acute thoracolumbar spine and spinal cord injury in China.

Comparison of the modified Wiltse’s approach with spinal minimally invasive system and traditional approach for the therapy of thoracolumbar fracture

Thoracolumbar fractures are usually treated by open posterior pedicle screw fixation.However,this procedure involves massive paraspinal muscle stripping,inflicting surgical trauma,and prolonged X-ray exposure.In this study,we observed 127 patients with single-segment injury thoracolumbar fractures.Thirty-six patients were treated by the modified Wiltse’s paraspinal approach with minimally invasive channel system,while 91 patients were treated via traditional posterior approach.Operation time,intraoperative blood loss,intraoperative fluoroscopy frequency,screw placement accuracy,visual analogue scale score,and Cobb’s angle of two groups were compared.The X-ray exposure times were notably reduced(4.2±1.6) in the new approach group(P<0.05).The pedicle screw placement accuracy and Cobb’s angle after surgery were similar in the two groups.We conclude that modified Wiltse’s paraspinal approach w ith spinal minimally invasive channel system surgery can significantly reduce the X-ray exposure times and is an alternative therapy for the thoracolumbar fracture.

IMAGING DIAGNOSIS OF THORACOLUMBAR BURST FRACTURES

Objective To review imaging use in the diagnosis of thoracolumbar burst fractures and to determine the diagnostic va-lue of different imaging methods. Methods One hundred and fourteen patients with 120 thoracolumbar burst fractures were retrospectively reviewed. Pl-ain radiographs were available in all cases; CT scans and MRI were obtained in 96 and 74 cases, respectively. Results A total of 27 burst fractures were misdiagnosed as other types of fractures on radiographs alone, and accounted for 22.5% of all fractures. The results indicated that plain radiographs often fail to delineate the pathological features of thor-acolumbar burst fractures, leading to delay in diagnosis. Conclusion In regard to thoracolumbar injury diagnosis, burst fractures should be differentiated from compression frac-tures. CT should be routinely indicated and MRI examination, when necessary, may be simultaneously considered.

Postoperative Disc Wedging in Adolescent Idiopathic Thoracolumbar/Lumbar Scoliosis:a Comparison of Anterior and Posterior Approaches

Objective To evaluate the different influences of anterior and posterior correction and fusion approaches upon disc wedging in adolescent idiopathic thoracolumbar/lumbar scoliosis.Methods The retrospective study was conducted with the medical records and radiographs of adolescent idiopathic thoracolumbar/lumbar scoliosis patients that underwent anterior(group A) or posterior(group B) correction and fusion surgery from December 1998 to May 2008.The correction of the main curve and changes of the disc wedging were analyzed.Results Fifty-three patients were included,26 in group A and 27 in group B.The mean coronal Cobb angles of the main curve in group A and group B were significantly corrected after surgery(P<0.05),with an average correction rate of 75.2% and 88.2%,respectively.Upon final follow-up,the coronal Cobb angles of the two groups were 18.9°±11.1° and 7.7°±5.6°,respectively,with an average correction loss of 6.8°±6.5° and 2.7°±3.3°,respectively.The coronal Cobb angle after operation and at final follow-up,and the correction rate were significantly better in group B than those in group A(P<0.05),while the coronal Cobb angle loss in group A was greater than that in group B(P<0.05).The disc wedging before operation,after operation,and at final follow-up were 3.2°±3.0°,5.7°±3.0°,and 8.6°±4.4° in group A,and 2.4°±3.2°,3.3°±3.4°,and 3.7°±3.6° in group B,respectively.Postoperative disc wedging was significantly larger compared with preoperative measurements in group A(P<0.05),but not in group B(P>0.05).The difference between disc wedging at final follow-up and that after surgery was significant in group A(P<0.05),but not in group B(P>0.05).Between the two groups,group A had larger disc angles after operation and at final follow-up(P<0.05),and a greater loss of disc angle(P<0.05).Conclusion For adolescent idiopathic thoracolumbar/lumbar scoliosis,posterior approach using all pedicle screws might produce a better result in terms of disc wedging compared with anterior approach.

TINAVI robot-assisted one-stage anteroposterior surgery in lateral position for severe thoracolumbar fracture dislocation:A case report

BACKGROUND The combined anterior/posterior approach appears to be capable of reconstructing spinal stability,correcting thoracolumbar deformity,and promoting neural recovery in severe thoracolumbar fracture dislocation.However,this type of operation requires changing the body position during the procedure,resulting in a lengthy operation time.As a universal surgical robot,TINAVI robot has achieved good surgical results in clinical surgery.But to our knowledge,no reports describing TINAVI robot-assisted single lateral position anteroposterior surgery for thoracolumbar fracture dislocation.CASE SUMMARY We describe a case of a 16-year-old female patient with severe thoracolumbar fracture and dislocation underwent surgery assisted by the TINAVI robot.A onestage combined anterior and posterior operation was performed on a severe thoracolumbar fracture dislocation using the TINAVI robot,and the operation was completed in right lateral position.CONCLUSION The TINAVI robot-assisted one-stage anterior and posterior surgery in right lateral position for severe thoracolumbar fracture and dislocation is both safe and effective.

A combination of digital design and three-dimensional printing to assist treatment of thoracolumbar compression fractures using percutaneous kyphoplasty

Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of the preoperative digita1 design combined with three dimensional(3D)printing models to assist percutaneous kyphoplasty(PKP)treatment for thoracolumbar compression frac tures.Methods:From January 2018 to August 2020,we obtained data of 99 patients diagnosed thoracolumbar compression fractures.These patients were divided into control group(n=50)underwent traditional PKP surgery,and observation group(n=49)underwent preoperative digital design combined with 3D printing model assisted PKP treatment.The clinical efficacy was evaluated with five parameters,including operation time,number of intraoperative radiographs,visual analogue scale(VAS)score,Cobb Angle change,and high compression rate of injured vertebrae.Results:There were statistically significant differences of operation time and number of intraoperative radio graphs between the two groups(P<0.05).For VAS score,Cobb Angle change and vertebral height compression rate,all of these three parameters were significantly improved when the patients accepted surgery teatment in two groups(P<0.05).However,there were no significant differences between control group and observation group for these three parameters either before or after surgery(P>0.05).Conclusions:Through the design of preoperative surgical guide plate and the application of 3D printing model to guide the operation,the precise design of preoperative surgical puncture site and puncture Angle of the injured vertebra was realized,the number of intraoperative radiographs was reduced,the operation time was shortened and the operation efficiency was improved.

Effectiveness and postoperative rehabilitation of one-stage combined anterior-posterior surgery for severe thoracolumbar fractures with spinal cord injury

BACKGROUND Thoracolumbar fractures are generally combined with spinal cord injury to varying degrees,which may cause deterioration of the patients’condition and increase the difficulty of clinical treatment.At present,anterior or combined anterior-posterior surgery is preferred for severe thoracolumbar fractures.AIM To investigate the effectiveness and postoperative rehabilitation of one-stage combined anterior-posterior surgery for severe thoracolumbar fractures with spinal cord injury.METHODS One-hundred-and-twenty patients who received surgery for severe thoracolumbar fractures with spinal cord injury at our hospital from February 2018 to February 2020 were randomly enrolled.They were randomly divided into group 1(one-stage combined anterior-posterior surgery,n=60)and group 2(onestage anterior-approach surgery,n=60).Treatment efficacy was compared between the two groups.RESULTS Blood loss was greater and the operation time was longer in group 1 than in group 2,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).Incision length,intraoperative X-rays,and length of hospital stay were not significantly different between the two groups(P>0.05).Preoperative function of the affected vertebrae was not significantly different between the two groups(P>0.05).In each group,the patients showed significant improvement after surgery.The anterior vertebral height ratio and the posterior vertebral height ratio in group 1 after surgery were significantly higher than those in group 2.The Cobb angle after surgery was significantly lower in group 1 than in group 2(P<0.05).The canal-occupying ratio of the affected vertebrae was not significantly different between the two groups(P>0.05).Before surgery,there was no significant difference in the quality of life scores between the two groups(P>0.05).The above indicators were significantly improved after surgery compared with before surgery in each group.In addition,these indicators were markedly better in group 1 than in group 2 after surgery(P<0.05 for each).CONCLUSION One-stage combined anterior-posterior surgery effectively improves the function of the affected vertebrae and the life quality of patients with severe thoracolumbar fractures and spinal cord injury.This surgical approach is worthy of popularization in clinical use.

Application of a paraplegic gait orthosis in thoracolumbar spinal cord injury

Paraplegic gait orthosis has been shown to help paraplegic patients stand and walk, although this method cannot be individualized for patients with different spinal cord injuries and functional recovery of the lower extremities. There is, however, a great need to develop individualized paraplegic orthosis to improve overall quality of life for paraplegic patients. In the present study, 36 spinal cord（below T4） injury patients were equally and randomly divided into control and observation groups. The control group received systematic rehabilitation training, including maintenance of joint range of motion, residual muscle strength training, standing training, balance training, and functional electrical stimulation. The observation group received an individualized paraplegic locomotion brace and functional training according to the various spinal cord injury levels and muscle strength based on comprehensive systematic rehabilitation training. After 3 months of rehabilitation training, the observation group achieved therapeutic locomotion in 8 cases, family-based locomotion in 7 cases, and community-based locomotion in 3 cases. However, locomotion was not achieved in any of the control group patients. These findings suggest that individualized paraplegic braces significantly improve activity of daily living and locomotion in patients with thoracolumbar spinal cord injury.

Thoracolumbar spine fracture complicated by simple conus medullaris injury

Between 1990 and 1996, 15 patients with thoracolumbar spine fracture complicated by simple conusmedullaris injury were admitted. All patients were Injured by falling from height (mean, o meters). Clinical symp-toms indicated hypoesthesia or anesthesia of S3-5 sensory region,dysporia and urinary dysfunction. but normal sensation and motion of the bilateral lower extremities. Waston-Jones classified the spinal cord and nerve root injury following thoracolumbar spine fracture into three types. According to our observations, it should be classfied into five types: 1) concussion of the conus medullaris; 2) simple incomplete injury of the conus medullaris; 3) simplecomplete injury of the conus medullaris; 4) spinal cord transection and partial nerve root injury; 5) spinal cordtransection and entire nerve root injury.

Clinical Effect of Posterior Internal Fixation and Fusion in the Treatment of Thoracolumbar Fractures

Objective:To evaluate the clinical effect of posterior internal fixation and fusion in the treatment of thoracolumbar fractures.Methods:36 patients with thoracolumbar fractures from January 2018 to December 2020 were selected and divided into study group and control group according to the random number table model.The control group was treated with anterior internal fixation,while the study group was treated with posterior internal fixation and fusion.The indexes of the two groups were compared and analyzed.Results:Compared with the operation related indexes of the two groups,the study group had more advantages(P<0.05);The postoperative kyphosis Cobb angle,height of anterior and posterior vertebral body,wedge index of the two groups were better than those before operation(P<0.05),and there was no significant difference between the two groups(P>0.05);There was no significant difference between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion:The clinical effect of posterior internal fixation and fusion in the treatment of thoracolumbar fractures is significant,and the body damage is slight,which is worthy of comprehensive promotion.

Outcome of Long Segment Transpedicular Screw Fixation in Unstable Thoracolumbar Spine Injury with Incomplete Neurological Deficit

Background: Long segment transpedicular screw fixation in thoracolumbar spine injury has gained popularity in the last decades as it provides immediate stability, prevents further risk of complications and allows early mobilization of patient. Objectives: Evaluation of clinical and functional outcome after long segment transpedicular screw fixation in unstable thoracolumbar spine injury with incomplete neurological deficit patients. Methods: This quasi experimental study was conducted at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH), Dhaka, Bangladesh from January 2016 to December 2017. A total of twenty four (24) patients with traumatic unstable fracture of the thoracolumbar spine with incomplete neurological deficit underwent long segment transpedicular screw fixation were included in this study. Clinical and radiologic outcomes were assessed pre-operatively and post-operatively. Results: A total of 24 patients aged between 20 - 60 years of both sexes (Male-21, Female-03) were included in this study. Their mean (±SD) age was 33.12 (±8.57) years. Most of them were farmer [09 (37.5%)] and day labour [08 (33.33%)]. Motor vehicle accidents were the most common [16 (66.67%)] cause of injury and then fall from height [08 (33.33%)]. The most common level of injury involved was L1-10 (41.67%) patients, followed by L2-07 (29.17%), T12-05 (20.83%) and T11-02 (8.33%) of the study patients. Burst fracture was the commonest [22 (91.67%)] type of fracture followed by Chance fracture [02 (8.33%)]. Pre-operative mean (±SD) Cobb angle, Kyphotic deformation of vertebral body, Beck index and vertebral compression deformity were 21.83 ± 4.5 degrees, 22.09 ± 4.40 degrees, 0.78 ± 2.65 and 0.18 ± 0.93 mm respectively, after procedure which were significantly (p Conclusions: Long segment transpedicular screw fixation is an effective method of treatment in patients having thoracolumbar spine injury with incomplete neurological deficit.

Thoracolumbar surgery for degenerative spine diseases complicated with tethered cord syndrome:A case report

BACKGROUND Tethered cord syndrome(TCS) secondary to split cord malformation(SCM) is rare in adulthood.There is as yet no consensus about the optimal treatment method for adult patients with SCMs and degenerative spine diseases such as lumbar stenosis,spondylolisthesis and ossification of the ligamentum flavum(OLF).The tethered cord poses a great challenge to the decompression and fusion procedures for the intraoperative stretching of the spinal cord,which might lead to deteriorated neural deficits.Here,we report on a case to add our treatment experience to the medical literature.CASE SUMMARY We treated a 67-year-old female patient with type II SCM suffering from lumbar disc herniation,degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis and thoracic OLF.The patient underwent thoracolumbar spinal fusion and decompression surgery for severe lower back pain,extensive left lower limb muscle weakness and intermittent claudication.After the thoracolumbar surgery,without stretching the tethered cord,the patient achieved complete relief of pain and lower extremity weakness at final follow-up.CONCLUSION For adult patients with underlying TCS secondary to SCM coupled with thoracic OLF and lumbar spondylolisthesis,a thoracolumbar fusion surgery could be safe and effective with the tethered cord untreated.It is critical to design individualized surgical protocols to reduce the stretch of the low-lying spinal cord.