For the direct decompression of the neural involvement by the retropulsed posterior wall fragment in burst type fractures of the thoracic and lumbar vertebra, the authors performed anterior decompression by corpectomy and fusion in 48 patients between April 1986 and December 1989 and followed up 32 months in average (min. 12 months). 1. Internal fixation was performed with Zielke instrumentation in 45 cases with plate in two cases. 2. Bony fusion was observed in 47 cases within 6 months. Complications were the dislodgement of the grafted bone in one, and the fracture of the grafted bone with metal failure in five. 3. Mean Kyphotic angle were 21°preoperatively, 10°postoperatively and 13°at the end of follow up. Mean anterior vertebral body height was 57% preoperatively, 87% postoperatively and 82% at the end of follow up than normal height. 4. Initial neurological symptoms were complete paraplegia in 3, incomplete paraplegia in 42 and bladder dysfunction in 3. Post-operatively, 3 complete and 4 incomplete injuries showed no neurological recovery, 19 incomplete injuries and 3 bladder paralysis showed complete recovery and 19 incomplete injure showed partial recovery. 5. Extent of spinal canal involvement in incomplete paraplegia were ranged between 20% and 50 {Av. 34%) in T12 or above, 30 and 75% (Av. 51%) in Ll, and 35% and 90% (Av, 73%) in L2 or below. 6. Neurological recovery in motor index score was improved 12 points in average from that of 79 points preoperatively to 91 points at the final follow up and level of Ll showed best improvement. The improvement in Frankel grade was about I grade in average. 7. Recovery rate in 42 incomplete injuries was 72% in average, and showed no difference between the injuried level. 8. Recovery rate were better in the patients with less neurological deficit, and the patients who were operated within one month after injury (Av, 81%) than the later (Av. 63%). From the above result, authors concluded that the anterior decompression can promote the neurological recovery in burst fractures with incomplete neurologic deficit, and the internal fixation can help the bony union and prevention of the complications.