Treatment of Gunshot Wounds to Spine During Late 19th Century

Abstract

Background: The demand for neurosurgical procedures increased drastically in the late 19th century owing to advances in ballistics during the American Civil War and Crimean War.

Methods and results: Surgical care for a gunshot wound to the spine relied on skilled identification and removal of the fractured bone. Hemorrhage control and infection prevention were also imperative for improving survival rates.

Conclusions: Although new techniques were implemented, the mortality rate from spinal injuries during this period was staggering. Nevertheless, those 19th century procedural methods provided the basis for present-day treatment for spinal injury patients.

Keywords: American Civil War; Gunshot wounds; Neurosurgery; Spinal injury; Surgery.