OBJECTIVE: the classifications have changed in the last half century; the most used from the last decade is Classification AO. In 2004, Vaccaro et al. proposed the Thoraco-Lumbar Injury Classification and Severity Score (TLICS). METHODS: one analysis of the inter and intra observant reproduction by using the Kappa test, of the two classifications between three different levels from orthopedic surgeons in formation in 30 cases. RESULTS: the intraobservant reproduction in the classification of Vaccaro was: OI: 0.73; OII: 0.6, and OIII: 0.63. For the AO classification: 0.7; 0.7 and 0.6, respectively. Between the two classifications: OI: 0.59; OII: 0.7, and OIII: 0.62. The interobservant evaluation for the classification of Vaccaro is 0.66 and for AO classification was 0.67. The tactically important points were rotation and injuries of the later ligamentary complex. CONCLUSIONS: the two classifications show a good degree in agreement (Kappa index). With the Vaccaro, it has been observed a global agreement of 69%. Regarding the indication of orthopedic treatment, the agreement was 37%. In the surgical treatment indication, it was 29%. It is possible to remark that this classification has a vague level where it can be decided on any of the two treatments (TLICS 4). This was observed in 3%. There was no agreement in 31%. The same indications for classification AO presented a global agreement of 67%. For the orthopedic indication, it was 32%. A surgical indication was made in 21%. In the injuries classified as A3 (14%) about the treatment is not defined with unanimity between the observers.
Spinal fractures; Lumbar vertebrae; Thoracic vertebrae
