Retrospective Analysis of 91 Patients with Spinal Trauma Who Examined at Emergency Department

Aim: Spinal trauma is one of the most important causes of trauma-related morbidity worldwide. Spinal injuries are often caused by traffic accidents (40%), falls (20-30%), sports injuries (10-20%), and firearm injuries. The aim of this study is to stress incidence and injury mechanism of spinal traumas and types of spinal traumas in our province by retrospectively reviewing 91 patients. Material and Method: 91 patients applied to the emergency department and neurosurgery clinic of Elazig Education and Research Hospital with spinal trauma between 2010 and 2013. Traffic accidents were classified as in-vehicle or out-of-vehicle accidents and falls were classified according to height as  follows: falls from a height≤1 m and those from a height>1 m. Result: 36 patients were admitted due to falls from a height>1 m, 18 patients were admitted due to falls from a height≤1 m, 20 patients were admitted due to in-vehicle traffic accidents, 14 patients were admitted due to out-of-vehicle traffic accidents, 2 patients were admitted due to sports injuries and one patient was admitted due to assault. Thirty-one patients underwent surgery due to neurological deficit and/or radiological instability. Fifty-eight patients were managed with conservative approach. One patient died during the pre-operative period. Discussion: The aim of this study was to indicate incidence of spinal trauma, mechanism of injury, and types of spinal trauma in our province as an epidemiological study