Introduction: Major trauma has seen a demographic shift in recent years and it is expected that the elderly population will comprise a greater burden on the major trauma service in the near future. However, whether a similar trend exists in those undergoing operative intervention for spinal trauma remains to be elucidated.
Aims: To compare the presentation and outcomes of patients ≥65 years of age sustaining spine trauma to those <65 years at a national tertiary referral spine centre.
Methods: The local Trauma Audit Research Network (TARN) database was analysed to identify spinal patients referred to our institution, a national tertiary referral centre, between 01/2016 and 05/2019. Patients were divided into a young cohort (16-64 years old) and an elderly cohort (> 64 years old). No explicit distinction was made between major and minor spine trauma cases. Variables analysed included patient demographics, injury severity, mortality, interventions, mechanism of injury and length of hospital stay.
Results: A total of 669 patients were admitted of which 480 patients underwent operative intervention for spinal trauma. Within the elderly cohort, this represented 75.3% of cases. Among the younger population, road traffic collisions were the most common mechanism of injury (37.1%), while low falls (<2 m) (57.4%) were the most common mechanism among the older population. Patients ≥65 years old had significantly longer length of stay (21 days [1-194] v 14 days [1-183]) and suffered higher 30-day mortality rates (4.6% [0-12] v 0.97% [0-4]).
Conclusion: Orthopaedic spinal trauma in older people is associated with a significantly higher mortality rate as well as a longer duration of hospitalization. Even though severity of injury is similar for both young and old patients, the mechanism of injury for the older population is of typically much lower energy compared to the high energy trauma affecting younger patients.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.surge.2021.08.010 | DOI Listing |
J Orthop Trauma
December 2024
Department of Orthopaedics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH.
The ribs, sternum, and costal margin provide a rigid, but flexible chest wall that functions to provide protection to the vital cardiothoracic organs, while also allowing for varying levels of respiration based on physiologic need. The latter function is accomplished through various muscular attachments and rib articulations with both the axial spine posteriorly and the sternum anteriorly. The accessory muscles of inspiration rely on the downward slope and outward curve of each rib, which when contracted move the ribs upward and outward, in turn forcing the sternum anterior and increasing the thoracic volume.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOper Neurosurg (Hagerstown)
September 2024
Department of Neurosurgery, New York University, New York, New York, USA.
Background And Objective: Neurofibromatosis-1 (NF1) dystrophic scoliosis is a challenging disease to manage surgically, with multiplanar curves progressing rapidly and unpredictably. Conservative management with bracing is often unsuccessful, and many patients necessitate instrumented fusion to halt progression of their curves. In rare cases, patients can present with spontaneous vertebral subluxation, significantly complicating the surgical management of this already complex disease process.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNeurosurgery
September 2024
Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Background And Objectives: Vertebral artery injury (VAI) because of traumatic subaxial cervical spine injury is a rare but potentially devastating condition as it could lead to stroke. The aim of this study was to examine the incidence, risk factors, outcomes, and radiographic predictors of VAI in patients surgically treated for subaxial cervical spine injuries at a tertiary care trauma center.
Methods: This is a retrospective population-based cohort study, including all patients surgically treated for traumatic subaxial cervical spine injuries at the study center between 2006 and 2018.
Introduction: Computed tomography (CT) angiography is commonly utilized to quickly identify vascular injuries caused by blunt cervical trauma. It is often conducted alongside a cervical spine CT, based on established criteria. This study assessed the prevalence of cervical vascular injuries identified via CT angiography (CTA) in patients who had negative findings on cervical CT scans.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAnimal Model Exp Med
January 2025
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The 909th Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Zhangzhou, China.
Backgroud: Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is one of the common degenerative diseases. Due to ethical constraints, it is difficult to obtain sufficient research on humans, so the use of an animal model of IDD is very important to clarify the pathogenesis and treatment mechanism of the disease.
Methods: In this study, thirty 2-month-old mice were selected for operation to establish a coccygeal IDD model.
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!