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Gülhane Military Medical Academy, Haydarpaşa Training Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery Most current anterior stabilization systems involve the placement of two screws in each vertebra, and connecting these using a rod or plate. In this study, we present findings from patients who were treated with single vertebral body screw (SVBS) - rod or - plate systems. Our aim was to determine whether these fixation systems adequately stabilize the thoracic spine. Over the past 4 years at our clinic, 13 patients (8 men and 5 women) of mean age 51 years (range 32-71 years), underwent stabilization of the thoracic spine with these fixation systems. The lesions were burst fractures (n=2), metastatic tumors (n=8), infections (n=2) and primary tumor (n=l). We achieved stabilization using a bone graft or methylmethacrylate, and applying screw rod (n=7) or screw-plate (n=S) fixation. In one patient, both fixation devices were used together. The average follow-up period was 16 months. Ten patients experienced pain relief. Of 12 patients with preoperative neurological deficits, 7 (58 %) completely recovered, 4 (33 %) partially improved, and 1 (8 %) remained unchanged. Neither iatrogenic neurological damage, nor complications related to instrumentation were observed. Our results showed that, due to specific anatomical features of this region adequate stabilization of the middle and lower thoracic spine can be achieved using SVBS-rod or - plate fixation systems. Keywords : Anterior surgical approach, spinal instrumentation, thoracic spine