Surgical stabilization of thoracic and lumbar spine fractures: a retrospective study in a military population.

Twenty-two patients underwent surgical stabilization of thoracic and lumbar spine fractures. Twenty patients were operated on within 4 weeks of the injury and two patients more than 1 year following injury. Harrington rods were used in 21 and Dwyer instrumentation in one. The presenting neurological deficits were: four complete, five incomplete, and 13 intact. Clinical failure was noted in four patients, two of whom underwent posterior instrumentation more than 1 year following the initial injury. The most important contributing factor to failure was use of instrumentation in deviation from standard practice. The aim of operative treatment to maintain fracture reduction, decompress neural elements, promote fracture healing, and shorten hospitalization was achieved.