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. 2018 Mar-Apr;26(2):123-126.
doi: 10.1590/1413-785220182602185460.

TRAUMATIC INJURIES OF THE CERVICAL SPINE: CURRENT EPIDEMIOLOGICAL PANORAMA

Marco Aurélio Cotegipe Negrelli  1 , Rafael Garcia DE Oliveira  1 , Ivan Dias DA Rocha  2 , Alexandre Fogaça Cristante  2 , Raphael Martus Marcon  1 , Tarcísio Eloy Pessoa DE Barros FILHO  2
Affiliations

TRAUMATIC INJURIES OF THE CERVICAL SPINE: CURRENT EPIDEMIOLOGICAL PANORAMA

Marco Aurélio Cotegipe Negrelli et al. Acta Ortop Bras. 2018 Mar-Apr.

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

Objective: To collect data from patients with cervical fracture who were treated surgically in a tertiary health service, in order to better understand the current scenario of this kind of injury in our population.

Methods: This retrospective survey examined consecutive cases of patients with cervical spine trauma who received surgical treatment during 2013 and 2014. The data were subjected to descriptive statistical analysis.

Results: Fifty-two patients were treated with surgery during 2013 and 2014. All patients classified as Frankel A and B developed respiratory failure. Patients classified as Frankel A, B, and C had significantly higher rates for postoperative complications (p < 0.01) than patients classified as Frankel D and E, except for the rate of postoperative infections (p = 0.717). Hospitalization time was also longer in the first group (p < 0.01).

Conclusion: Patients with cervical trauma who present with neurological deficit at hospital admission should receive special attention, since the rate of postoperative complications is higher and hospital stays are lengthier in this group. In addition, patients with Frankel A and B classification should be monitored in an intensive care unit. Level of Evidence III; Retrospective comparative study.

Objetivo: Levantar dados de prontuário dos pacientes com fratura cervical submetidos a tratamento cirúrgico em um serviço de saúde terciário, para melhor compreensão do cenário atual desse tipo de lesão em nosso meio.

Métodos: O estudo realizou o levantamento retrospectivo de casos consecutivos de pacientes com trauma da coluna cervical submetidos ao tratamento cirúrgico durante os anos de 2013 e 2014. Os dados foram submetidos à análise estatística descritiva.

Resultados: Cinquenta e dois pacientes foram operados neste serviço entre os anos de 2013 e 2014. Todos os pacientes classificados como Frankel A e B evoluíram com insuficiência respiratória. Quando comparados, os pacientes Frankel A, B e C e Frankel D e E, a taxa de todos os tipos de complicações pós-operatórias foi maior no primeiro grupo, com significância estatística (p < 0,01), exceto a taxa de infecções pós-operatórias (p = 0,717). Além disso, o tempo de internação foi maior no primeiro grupo (p < 0,01).

Conclusão: Pacientes com trauma cervical que se apresentem com déficit neurológico na admissão hospitalar devem receber especial atenção, uma vez que a taxa de complicações pós-operatórias e os dias de internação são maiores. Além disso, pacientes Frankel A e B devem ser monitorados em ambiente de terapia intensiva. Nível de Evidência III; Estudo retrospectivo comparativo.

Keywords: Cervical vertebrae/injuries.; Epidemiology; Spinal injuries.

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Conflict of interest statement

All authors declare no potential conflict of interest related to this article.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Frequency of fractures by age.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Trauma mechanism.
Figure 3
Figure 3. Mean surgical time vs. type of fracture (low fractures were classified by AO classification and type A and B were grouped together).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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