Risk factors for respiratory failure following operative stabilization of thoracic and lumbar spine fractures

BACKGROUND: Respiratory failure is a serious complication that can adversely affect the hospital course and survival of multiply injured patients. Some studies have suggested that delayed surgical stabilization of spine fractures may increase the incidence of respiratory complications. However, the authors of these studies analyzed small sets of patients and did not assess the independent effects of multiple risk factors. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a regional level-I trauma center to identify risk factors for respiratory failure in patients with surgically treated thoracic and lumbar spine fractures. Demographic, diagnostic, and procedural variables were identified. The incidence of respiratory failure was determined in an adult respiratory distress syndrome registry maintained concurrently at the same institution. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to determine independent risk factors for respiratory failure. An algorithm was formulated to predict respiratory failure. RESULTS: Respiratory failure developed in 140 of the 1032 patients in the study cohort. Patients with respiratory failure were older; had a higher mean Injury Severity Score (ISS) and Charlson Comorbidity Index Score; had greater incidences of pneumothorax, pulmonary contusion, and thoracic level injury; had a lower mean Glasgow Coma Score (GCS); were more likely to have had a posterior surgical approach; and had a longer mean time from admission to surgical stabilization than the patients without respiratory failure (p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis identified five independent risk factors for respiratory failure: an age of more than thirty-five years, an ISS of > 25 points, a GCS of < or = 12 points, blunt chest injury, and surgical stabilization performed more than two days after admission. An algorithm was created to determine, on the basis of the number of preoperative predictors present, the relative risk of respiratory failure when surgery was delayed for more than two days. CONCLUSIONS: Independent risk factors for respiratory failure were identified in an analysis of a large cohort of patients who had undergone operative stabilization of thoracic and lumbar spine fractures. Early operative stabilization of these fractures, the only risk factor that can be controlled by the physician, may decrease the risk of respiratory failure in multiply injured patients.     

Effectiveness and complications of primary C-clamp stabilization or external fixation for unstable pelvic fractures

Background and purposeUnstable pelvic fractures frequently require emergency stabilization using a C-clamp or external (CC/EF) fixation. However, the effectiveness of this intervention and associated complications are still a matter of debate.Patients and methodsThe analysis used data available from the German Pelvic Trauma Registry to study general complications, infections and mortality after primary stabilization using CC/EF in 5,499 patients (n = 957 with vs n = 4,542 without). Furthermore, the subgroups with secondary surgery (n = 713 vs n = 1,695), and ilio-sacral screw implantation following C-clamp stabilization were evaluated (n = 24 vs n = 219). Calculated odds ratios were adjusted for potential confounders.ResultsPatients treated by CC/EF were younger (45 ± 20 vs 62 ± 24 years), had more C-type fractures (65% vs 28%), higher ISS (≥25 63% vs 20%) and displacement (≥3 mm 81% vs 41%), and more complex fractures (32% vs 5%). These features were independent risk factors for complications (p < 0.001). While mortality was reduced after CC/EF stabilization by 32% (OR 0.68 95%CI 0.49-0.95), the risk for general complications was slightly increased (OR 1.25 95% CI 1.02–1.53). In patients undergoing secondary surgery, CC/EF fixation had no influence on mortality, general complications or infections. Related to preceding C-clamp stabilization (OR 4.67 95% CI 1.06–20.64), the risk for infection increased from 3.2% to 20.8% in ilio-sacral screw fixation.InterpretationPrimary stabilization of unstable pelvic fractures with C-clamp or external fixation is associated with a decreased mortality and was not an independent risk factor for complications after secondary surgery. However, the risk for infection after ilio-sacral screw fixation increased almost 5-fold after C-clamp use.     

Risk factors for recurrence of shoulder instability after arthroscopic Bankart repair

BACKGROUND: The higher failure rates reported with arthroscopic stabilization of traumatic, recurrent anterior shoulder instability compared with open stabilization remain a concern. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of arthroscopic Bankart repairs with the use of suture anchors and to identify risk factors related to postoperative recurrence of shoulder instability. METHODS: Ninety-one consecutive patients underwent arthroscopic stabilization for recurrent anterior traumatic shoulder instability. The mean age (and standard deviation) at the time of surgery was 26.4 +/- 5.4 years. Seventy-one patients were male. Seventy-nine patients were involved in sports (forty, in high-risk sports). Capsulolabral reattachment and capsule retensioning was performed with use of absorbable suture anchors (mean, 4.3 anchors; range, two to seven anchors). All patients were prospectively followed, and, at the time of the last review, the patients were examined and assessed functionally by independent observers. RESULTS: At a mean follow-up of thirty-six months, fourteen patients (15.3%) experienced recurrent instability: six sustained a frank dislocation and eight reported a subluxation. The mean delay to recurrence was 17.6 months. The risk of postoperative recurrence was significantly related to the presence of a bone defect, either on the glenoid side (a glenoid compression-fracture; p = 0.01) or on the humeral side (a large Hill-Sachs lesion; p = 0.05). By contrast, a glenoid separation-fracture was not associated with postoperative recurrent dislocation or subluxation. Recurrence of instability was significantly higher in patients with inferior shoulder hyperlaxity (p = 0.03) and/or anterior shoulder hyperlaxity (p = 0.01). On multivariate analysis, the presence of glenoid bone loss and inferior hyperlaxity led to a 75% recurrence rate (p < 0.001). Lastly, the number of suture-anchors was critical: patients who had three anchors or fewer were at higher risk for recurrent instability (p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: In the treatment of traumatic recurrent anterior shoulder instability, patients with bone loss or with shoulder hyperlaxity are at risk for recurrent instability after arthroscopic Bankart repair. At least four anchor points should be used to obtain secure shoulder stabilization.     

Schenkelhalsfraktur des jungen Patienten

Femoral neck fractures in young patients are rare but of high clinical relevance due to the complexity of risk factors and complications. Early stabilization and accurate reduction are of high priority. Femoral head-preserving stabilization by dynamic hip screws or threefold screw osteosynthesis are the methods of choice. Postoperative results should be closely controlled in every case in order to be able to treat possible complications in time.     

Editorial Commentary: Stabilize the Patella to Achieve Functional Gain but Don’t Neglect the Cartilage That May Cause Long-Term Pain! Trochlear Dysplasia Plays a Role in Both

While trochlear dysplasia is commonly discussed as a major risk factor for recurrent patellar instability, it also has a strong relationship with the development of patellofemoral cartilage lesions. Patellofemoral instability frequently occurs in teens and young adults, and the high prevalence of associated cartilage damage unfortunately sets patients up for the progression of degenerative changes of the patellofemoral joint at an early age. The judicious use of magnetic resonance imaging can help identify the presence of chondral lesions, allowing for urgent management of associated osteochondral fractures or open discussions and patient education about the possibility of performing a cartilage restoration procedure concurrently with patellar stabilization surgery. The location and presence of patellofemoral chondral lesions should be considered when contemplating the concurrent use of tibial tubercle osteotomy as part of the patellar stabilization procedure.     

Neue Aspekte der perioperativen Statintherapie

Statins are effective drugs for treatment and prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Besides their lipid-lowering properties, statins act through multiple pleiotropic effects including vasoprotective mechanisms, effects on coagulation, anti-inflammatory properties and stabilization of atherosclerotic plaques. In recent years many studies have investigated the effects of statins administered to patients in the perioperative period. Results indicate that the perioperative use of statins is beneficial, most of all for patients with a high cardiovascular risk profile. However, most study designs are retrospective and vulnerable to systematic bias. The number of randomized controlled trials is very limited and include only low numbers of patients. Currently it is not known when perioperative treatment with statin should be started and how long it should be continued postoperatively to reach optimal protective effects. A pre-existing statin therapy should be continued perioperatively because discontinuation leads to a higher rate of complications in the perioperative period. Larger randomized controlled trials are therefore necessary to evaluate the efficiency and the safety of perioperative statin use, especially for patients with a low or intermediate cardiovascular risk profile.     

Acute midshaft clavicular fracture

Clavicular fractures represent 2.6% to 5% of all fractures, and middle third fractures account for 69% to 82% of fractures of the clavicle. The junction of the outer and middle third is the thinnest part of the bone and is the only area not protected by or reinforced with muscle and ligamentous attachments. These anatomic features make it prone to fracture, particularly with a fall on the point of the shoulder, which results in an axial load to the clavicle. Optimal treatment of nondisplaced or minimally displaced midshaft fracture is with a sling or figure-of-8 dressing; the nonunion rate is very low. However, when midshaft clavicular fractures are completely displaced or comminuted, and when they occur in elderly patients or females, the risk of nonunion, cosmetic deformity, and poor outcome may be markedly higher. Thus, some surgeons propose surgical stabilization of a complex midshaft clavicular fracture with either plate-and-screw fixation or intramedullary devices. Further randomized, prospective trials are needed to provide better data on which to base treatment decisions.     

Cholecystectomy: clinical experience with a large series

This large series of 1,035 consecutive operations with a primary diagnosis of inflammatory or calculus disease of the gallbladder included a large number of elderly patients with the greatest incidence in the seventh and eighth decades of life. Operation was performed after initial stabilization when acute illness presented and without prolonged delay of medical treatment. Cholecystectomy was almost always able to be performed successfully at the initial operation. This approach produced low rates of morbidity and mortality when compared with reports from large university centers and with reports advocating delayed operation for acute cholecystitis or planned cholecystostomy in elderly and high risk patients. Operative cholangiograms were rarely performed and rates of residual or retained common duct stones were low. Length of hospital stay was related to age and performance of a common duct exploration. Draining the subhepatic space routinely by way of a separate peritoneal stab incision and removing the drain within 48 hours produced a low rate of wound complications.     

Septic hematogenous lumbar spondylodiscitis in elderly patients with multiple risk factors: efficacy of posterior stabilization and interbody fusion with iliac crest bone graft

The conservative and operative treatment strategies of hematogenous spondylodiscitis in septic patients with multiple risk factors are controversial. The present series demonstrates the outcome of 18 elderly patients (median age, 72 years) with septic hematogenous spondylodiscitis and intraspinal abscess treated with microsurgical decompression and debridement of the infective tissue, followed by posterior stabilization and interbody fusion with iliac crest bone graft in one or two lumbar segments. The majority of the patients were unsuccessfully treated with intravenous antibiotics prior to the operation. Antibiotic therapy was continued for more than 6 weeks postoperatively. Morbidity and early mortality amounted to 50 and 17%, respectively. Three patients died in the hospital from internal complications after an initial postoperative improvement of the inflammatory clinical signs and laboratory parameters. Fifteen patients recovered from the spinal infection. Three of them died several months after discharge (cerebral hemorrhage, malignancy and unknown cause). Twelve patients had excellent or good outcomes during the follow-up period of at least 1 year. The series shows that operative decompression and eradication of the intraspinal and intervertebral infective tissue with fusion and stabilization via a posterior approach is possible in septic patients with multiple risk factors and leads to good results in those patients, who survive the initial severe stage of the septic disease. However, the morbidity and mortality suggest that this surgical treatment is not the therapy of first choice in high-risk septic patients, but may be considered in patients when conservative management has failed.     

Early versus delayed stabilization of pediatric femur fractures: analysis of 387 patients.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of timing of femur fracture stabilization on pulmonary complication rates in pediatric trauma patients. DESIGN: Retrospective review. SETTING: Level I trauma center. PATIENTS: Three hundred eighty-seven previously healthy patients from zero to fifteen years of age with traumatic diaphyseal femur fractures. INTERVENTION: Femur fracture stabilization: early (less than twenty-four hours after injury) in 213 patients and late in 174 patients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Age, sex, GCS (Glasgow Coma Score), AIS/ISS (Abbreviated Injury Score/Injury Severity Score), timing of fracture stabilization, duration of mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit stay, and hospital stay were recorded. Pulmonary complications, including pneumonia, respiratory distress syndrome, and pulmonary embolus, were recorded. RESULTS: Thirteen patients developed pulmonary complications. Twelve of these had severe head injuries (GCS < or = 8). One had sustained an upper cervical spine fracture that resulted in quadriplegia. Statistical analysis revealed GCS, GCS < or = 8, ISS, and head and neck AIS to be significant predictors of pulmonary complications. Early stabilization of femur fractures had no apparent effect on the pulmonary complication rate. CONCLUSIONS: Pulmonary complications are rare in pediatric femur fracture patients. Patients with severe head injuries (GCS < or = 8) or cervical spinal cord injuries are at high risk for pulmonary complications. The timing of femur fracture stabilization does not appear to affect the prevalence of pulmonary complications in these patients.     

Radiological and clinical comparisons of the patients with rheumatoid arthritis operated with rigid and dynamic instrumentation systems due to lumbar degenerative spinal diseases

BackgroundIt is extremely difficult to treat spine disorders with stabilization in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Because revision rates are significantly higher in rigid stabilization. To date, there is no data about patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with dynamic stabilization. Our aim was to compare the radiological and clinical results of patients with rheumatoid arthritis who underwent lumbar rigid stabilization or dynamic stabilization with Polyetheretherketone rod (PEEK).MethodsPatients with degenerative lumbar spine disease with rheumatoid arthritis who underwent dynamic stabilization between 2013 and 2015 and rigid stabilization between 2010 and 2012 were evaluated radiologically for adjacent segment disease, proximal junctional kyphosis, system problem (nonunion, screw loosening, instrumentation failure, pull out). It was also compared according to both the revision rates and the Visual Analog Scale and Oswestry Disability Index scores at the 12th month and 24th month.ResultsThe difference of decrease in Visual Analog Scale and Oswestry Disability Index scores from preoperative to 12th month between patients who underwent dynamic stabilization and rigid stabilization was statistically insignificant. However, there was a significant difference of increase in Visual Analog Scale and Oswestry Disability Index scores between the 12th month and 24th month of patients who underwent rigid stabilization, compared with patients with dynamic stabilization. In patients with dynamic stabilization, the problems of instrumentation were seen less frequently. Revision rates were high in patients with rigid stabilization when compared the patients with dynamic stabilization.ConclusionRadiological and clinical outcomes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis operated with dynamic stabilization are more significant when compared to rigid stabilization. These patients have lower pain and disability scores in their follow up periods. Revision rates are lower in patients with dynamic stabilization.     

Emergent stabilization of pelvic ring injuries by controlled circumferential compression: a clinical trial

BACKGROUND: Pelvic ring injuries are associated with a high incidence of mortality mainly due to retroperitoneal hemorrhage. Early stabilization is an integral part of hemorrhage control. Temporary stabilization can be provided by a pelvic sheet, sling, or an inflatable garment. However, these devices lack control of the applied circumferential compression. We evaluated a pelvic circumferential compression device (PCCD), which allows for force-controlled circumferential compression. In a prospective clinical trial, we documented how this device can provide effective reduction of open-book type pelvic injuries without causing overcompression of lateral compression type injuries. METHODS: Sixteen patients with pelvic ring injuries were enrolled. Pelvic fractures were temporarily stabilized with a PCCD until definitive stabilization was provided. Anteroposterior pelvic radiographs were obtained before and after PCCD application, and after definitive stabilization. These radiographs were analyzed to quantify pelvic reduction due to the PCCD in comparison to the quality of reduction after definitive stabilization. Results were stratified into external rotation and internal rotation fracture patterns. RESULTS: In the external rotation group, the PCCD significantly reduced the pelvic width by 9.9 +/- 6.0%. This reduction closely approximated the 10.0 +/- 4.1% reduction in pelvic width achieved by definitive stabilization. In the internal rotation group, the PCCD did not cause significant overcompression. No complications were observed. CONCLUSIONS: A PCCD can effectively reduce pelvic ring injuries. It poses a minimal risk for overcompression and complications as compared with reduction alternatives that do not provide a feedback on the applied reduction force.     

Closed Tibial-Shaft Fractures: Which Ones Benefit From Surgical Treatment?

Closed tibial-shaft fractures can usually be managed effectively with cast or brace immobilization if acceptable alignment is maintained and cyclic loading (weight-bearing) is initiated early. However, certain tibial fractures are at greater risk for nonunion or malunion and merit consideration for early operative stabilization. Among the tibial fracture characteristics that warrant fixation are instability, metaphyseal-diaphyseal location, significant limb edema, and the need for repeated realignment procedures. Deleterious patient-specific factors, such as obesity, poor compliance, and health conditions favoring immediate function, should also be considered. Absolute criteria for stabilization include coronal angulation exceeding 5 degrees, sagittal angulation greater than 10 degrees, rotation greater than 5 degrees, shortening exceeding 1 cm, displacement greater than 50%, and severe comminution (loss of 50% or more of cortical circumferential continuity). Relative indications for fixation include an inability to bear weight, distal or oblique fractures, prominent edema, and patient-specific considerations necessitating early function. When tibial stabilization is preferable, the authors believe that closed locked intramedullary nailing is the treatment of choice.     

Optimizing Patellofemoral Cartilage Restoration and Instability With Tibial Tubercle Osteotomy

Tibial tubercle osteotomy (TTO) is a procedure that may be used to address a wide array of patellofemoral joint pathology. The most common indications for TTO include (1) patellar instability, including either a lateralized force vector or abnormal patellar alta, and (2) patellar focal cartilage defects or chondromalacia. Customization of the TTO can effectively address the patellofemoral joint pathology by modifying patellar tracking in the trochlear groove and/or altering the contact pressures experienced by the patellofemoral cartilage. TTO may be most successful when performed in conjunction with soft-tissue stabilization and/or biological augmentation of chondral injuries. Specifically, isolated anteromedialization is recommended for focal, distal lateral patellar lesions; combined anteromedialization and cartilage restoration are recommended for medial, central, and/or panpatellar cartilage pathology; medialization with soft-tissue stabilization is recommended for a lateralized tubercle position (elevated tibial tubercle–trochlear groove distance); and distalization with soft-tissue stabilization is recommended for patella alta. Clinical studies have shown good to excellent results at long-term follow-up when a TTO is performed for patellar instability, whereas TTO performed for chondral defects has shown good to excellent outcomes that correlate strongly with the size and location of the chondral defect. With appropriate patient selection, TTO is a valuable tool for the treatment of patellofemoral joint pathology.     

Revision strategies for ventral implant failure in the lumbar spine exemplified by stand-alone cages

This article gives a review of the possible revision strategies after repeated operative treatment of degenerative spinal diseases using stand-alone cages. Own clinical experiences and reports from the literature were taken into consideration. Dorsal stabilization is the main consideration for all access routs even if it can be discussed, albeit controversially, whether ventral removal of an installed cage is justified, because this contains a significantly higher perioperative risk. The increased risk of neurological complications by dorsal revision and for vascular complications by ventral access, especially at the L4/5 level must be particularly considered. Clinical data and own experience have shown that in the majority of cases an additional dorsal stabilization should be favored for revision surgery. Currently large clinical studies which deal with the revision problematic of stand-alone cages with respect to the access route are still lacking.     

Editorial Commentary: To Boldy Go…to the Back of the Glenoid: Bone is the Key to Success

Risk factors of failure after arthroscopic posterior shoulder stabilization are not well understood. Careful attention to anatomy may be the key to helping patients understand their risk of failure after surgery. Posterior stabilization may be even more sensitive to small amounts of bone loss than is anterior stabilization.     

Surgical treatment of traumatic anterior shoulder instability in american football players

BACKGROUND: American football players have been reported to be at high risk for postoperative instability after arthroscopic stabilization of anterior shoulder instability. While some authors have recommended open methods of stabilization in athletes who play contact sports, there are few data in the literature showing more favorable results with use of an open technique. We reviewed the results of an open technique of anterior shoulder stabilization in fifty-eight American football players after a minimum of two years of follow-up. METHODS: Fifty-eight American football players underwent open stabilization with use of a standardized technique for the treatment of recurrent anterior shoulder instability. Forty-seven patients had recurrent dislocations, and the remaining eleven had recurrent subluxations. The average age of the patients was 18.2 years, and the average duration of follow-up was thirty-seven months. Patients were evaluated according to the shoulder scoring system of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons and with use of the shoulder instability score described by Rowe and Zarins. RESULTS: There were no postoperative dislocations. Postoperative subluxation occurred in two patients, neither of whom had had a dislocation prior to the operation. Forward flexion and external rotation returned to within 5 of those of the contralateral shoulder in forty-nine patients. The average score according to the system of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons was 97.0 points, and the average Rowe and Zarins score was 93.6 points. Fifty-five patients had a good or excellent result, and fifty-two of the fifty-eight returned to playing football for at least one year. One patient was forced to stop playing because of recurrent instability. CONCLUSIONS: Open stabilization is a predictable method of restoring shoulder stability in American football players while maintaining a range of motion approximating that found after arthroscopic stabilization. Postoperative stability appears to be superior to that reported after arthroscopic techniques in this population of patients.     

Fracture luxation of the cervical spine in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: six cases

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Treatment of cervical spine fracture in patients with ankylosing spondylitis is difficult. Biomechanical changes related to ossified ankylosing spondylitis spine make cervical spine fractures highly unstable. They cover the entire width of the spine inducing multidirectional instability and the risk of neurological injuries. Treatment is more difficult that in the nonossified spine. Different treatments have been proposed including anterior stabilization, posterior stabilization, or both. METHODS: We reviewed retrospectively six cases of cervical fracture dislocation in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. RESULTS: There were five cases of C6C7 fracture dislocation and one case of C4C5 fracture dislocation. Four patients had neurological impairment at diagnosis. All patients underwent surgery. Two had anterior stabilization: one patient died and the other achieved bone healing. Four patients had anterior and posterior stabilization combined with a cervical brace for three months, for two and a halo cast for two, others because of persistent instability, with neurological injury in one. A neurological improvement was obtained in four patients. One patient was lost to follow-up. CONCLUSION: Surgical management of selected patients with ankylosing spondylitis and cervical spine fractures is challenging. Combined anterior and posterior stabilization should be considered for these fractures. A cervical brace must be associated with surgical treatment. With appropriate management, outcome can be favorable.     

Comparison of interventions for lumbar disc herniation: a systematic review with network meta-analysis

BackgroundImplants for use in disc herniation surgery have been commercially available for some time. Several clinical trials have shown promising results. There are now a wide variety of surgical methods for treating lumbar disc herniation.PurposeThe objective of this systematic review was to compare all current surgical methods for disc herniation, including newer methods with implants for annulus repair and dynamic stabilization.Study designSystematic review and network meta-analysis.MethodsPRISMA-P guidelines were followed in this review. Literature search in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane library databases identified eligible randomized controlled trials (RCT) studies comparing interventions for lumbar disc surgery. The investigated outcomes were: changes in pain score, disability score and reoperation rate with a minimum follow-up of 1 year. Risk of bias was assessed in concordance with Cochrane Neck and Back Review Group recommendation. A network meta-analysis was performed using gemtc and BUGSnet software, and each outcome evaluated using Confidence in Network Meta-Analysis (CINeMA).ResultsThirty-two RCT studies, with 4,877 participants, and eight different interventions were identified. A significant difference was seen in change of pain score, as all treatments were superior to conservative treatment and percutaneous discectomy. This difference was only found to be of clinically importance when comparing conservative treatment and dynamic stabilization. There was no significant difference in reoperation rates or change in disability score, regardless of treatment. However, SUCRA plots showed a trend in ranking annulus repair and dynamic stabilization highest. Risk of bias assessment showed that 15 studies had a high overall risk of bias. Meta-regression with risk of bias as covariate did not indicate any influence in risk of bias on the model. Confidence in Network Meta-Analysis evaluation showed a high level of confidence for all treatment comparisons.ConclusionsWith this network meta-analysis, we have aimed to compare all treatments for herniated lumbar disc in one large comprehensive systematic review and network meta-analysis. We have compared across the three main outcomes: disability score, pain score and reoperation rate. We were not able to rank one single treatment as the best. Most of the treatment performed at the same level. However percutaneous discectomy and conservative treatment consistently performed worse than the other treatments. In general, the CINeMA evaluation according to the GRADE recommendations gave a high level of confidence for the study comparisons.     

The Incidence of Posterior and Combined AP Shoulder Instability Treatment with Surgical Stabilization Is Higher in an Active Military Population than in the General Population: Findings from the US Naval Academy

BackgroundAnterior instability has consistently been shown to be the most common type of glenohumeral instability. Recent studies have demonstrated a higher percentage of posterior and combined (anterior and posterior) instability than had previously been reported; however, this work has not been replicated recently in a particularly young military population, which may be representative of an especially athletic or high-demand group.Question/purposeWhat proportion of arthroscopic shoulder stabilization procedures are performed to address isolated anterior instability, isolated posterior instability, and combined instability in a young, military population?MethodsBetween August 2009 and January 2020, two sports medicine fellowship–trained surgeons performed arthroscopic shoulder surgery on 543 patients at a single institution. During that time, the indication to be treated with arthroscopic stabilization surgery was symptomatic glenohumeral instability, as diagnosed by the operative surgeon, that restricted patients from carrying out their military duties. Of those, 82% (443 of 543) could be evaluated in this retrospective study, while 18% (100 of 543) were excluded due to either incomplete data or because the procedure performed was not to address instability. No patient underwent an open stabilization procedure during this period. Of the 443 patients investigated, the mean age was 22 ± 4 years, and 88% (392 of 443 patients) were men. Instability type was characterized as isolated anterior, isolated posterior, or combined (anterior and posterior) according to the physician’s diagnosis as listed in the patient’s clinical records and operative reports after the particular capsulolabral pathology was identified and addressed.ResultsIsolated anterior instability occurred in 47% of patients (210 of 443). Isolated posterior instability happened in 18% of patients (80 of 443), while combined anteroposterior instability occurred in 35% of patients (153 of 443).ConclusionShoulder instability is common in the military population. Although anterior instability occurred most frequently, these findings demonstrate higher proportions of posterior and combined instability than have been previously reported. Surgeons should have a heightened suspicion for posterior and combined anteroposterior labral pathology when performing arthroscopic stabilization procedures to ensure that these instability patterns are recognized and treated appropriately. The current investigation examines a unique cohort of young and active individuals who are at particularly high risk for instability and whose findings may represent a good surrogate for other active populations that a surgeon may encounter.Level of Evidence Level III; therapeutic study.