Abstract: Objective To study the surgical treatment of thoracolumbar vertebral fractures in ankylosing spondylitis via anterior approach.Methods Twelve cases of thoracolumbar vertebral fractures and ankylosing spondylitis patients admitted in our hospital were studied retrospectively.There are 10 male and 2 female patients in total.We chose anterior rod system to treat these patients.According the AOclassification of the spinal fractures,there are 5 patients with type A,3 type Band 4 type C.The location of these fractures are located in T₇-L2.3 for compressive fractures,6 for burst fractures,2 for mixed fractures.Nine patients' fracture involves all three columns.There were 10 patients with spinal cord injury.Collecting data on surgical time,blood lost,neurologic recovery states,et al were collected.Results All of 12 cases were followed up for an average of 24.2 months.The surgical results were as follows:10 spinal cord injury patients got recovery.12 patients got the bone fusion.Only 1 patient received spinal cord injury in the surgery procedures.There were no complications related to the internal fixation systems.Conclusion Surgical intervention,especially anterior rod system may be the proper way to treat this injury.Fracture union and neurological improvement can be achieved in most patients.

Key words: spine, fracture, ankylosing spondylitis, thoracic vertebral, internal fixation