Results of spinal cord decompression and thoracolumbar pedicle stabilisation in relation to the time of operation.

Short-segment pedicle stabilisation, transpedicular disc resection and autologous cancellous bone grafting is performed in trauma patients being transferred to our trauma centre with thoracolumbar fracture/dislocations. A follow-up examination of 88 patients, who were operated during the years of 1985-1992, took place after an average time of 5.6 years. Our results suggest that the earlier operative decompression and spine stabilisation takes place, the better is the recovery rate in patients with neurologic deficits. The highest neurologic recovery rates were found in patients operated within 8 h after the initial trauma. High remission rates were still found, if the patients had been operated within 48 h. After this time there was no significant difference in the neurologic outcome compared to the time of operation.