Introduction And Objective: To describe the demographic and clinical characteristics and treatment of patients with spinal gunshot wounds across Latin America.
Material And Methods: Retrospective, multicenter cohort study of patients treated for gunshot wounds to the spine spanning 12 institutions across Latin America between January 2015 and January 2022. Demographic and clinical data were recorded, including the time of injury, initial assessment, characteristics of the vertebral gunshot injury, and treatment.
Results: Data on 423 patients with spinal gunshot injuries were extracted from institutions in Mexico (82%), Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Venezuela. Patients were predominantly male civilians in low-risk-of-violence professions, and of lower/middle social status, and a sizeable majority of gunshots were from low-energy firearms. Vertebral injuries mainly affected the thoracic and lumbar spine. Neurological injury was documented in n=320 (76%) patients, with spinal cord injuries in 269 (63%). Treatment was largely conservative, with just 90 (21%) patients treated surgically, principally using posterior open midline approach to the spine (n=79; 87%). Injury features distinguishing surgical from non-surgical cases were neurological compromise (p=0.004), canal compromise (p<0.001), dirty wounds (p<0.001), bullet or bone fragment remains in the spinal canal (p<0.001) and injury pattern (p<0.001). After a multivariate analysis through a binary logistic regression model, the aforementioned variables remained statistically significant except neurological compromise.
Conclusions: In this multicenter study of spinal gunshot victims, most were treated non-surgically, despite neurological injury in 76% and spinal injury in 63% of patients.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.recot.2023.07.001 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
[Comprehensive rehabilitation of spinal trauma patients with extended involvement of nursing staff and neurometabolic therapy].
Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova
December 2024
Russian University of Medicine, Moscow, Russia.
Objective: Analysis of the effectiveness of the use of the drug Cytoflavin and the organization of the activities of nursing staff, within the framework of nursing care, in the complex therapy of patients with spinal cord injury (PSMT).
Material And Methods: Material and methods. 40 patients with PSMT due to a gunshot wound were examined, who were divided into two equal groups depending on the type of therapy performed: group 1 patients received the full volume of stage I medical rehabilitation (with additional use of neurodevelopmental techniques under the supervision of a Bobata department nurse) and standard drug therapy, including a course of intravenous Cytoflavin infusions followed by tablet form; group 2 patients received the full volume of stage I medical rehabilitation and standard drug therapy, but did not receive Cytoflavin.
Civilian ballistic spinal cord injuries versus blunt trauma: comparative analysis of clinical characteristics, management, and outcomes.
Spine J
November 2024
Department of Neurosurgery, University of Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa.
Background Context: There are no current guidelines for the management of civilian gunshot wound injuries (GSW) to the spine and patient management often relies on algorithms derived from blunt trauma (BT). However, spinal cord injury due to GSW or blunt trauma mechanism may have significantly different clinical presentation, management, and outcomes. To ensure improved and evidence-based treatment, we need to understand the outcome determining characteristics of civilian GSW to the spine and identify the differences to the well-studied BT.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAntibiotic Prophylaxis and Spinal Infection After Gunshot Wounds to the Spine: A Retrospective Study.
J Surg Res
December 2024
Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin, Division of Trauma, Critical Care and Acute Care Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Introduction: Spinal and paraspinal infections (SPIs) are a potential complication following traumatic spinal column injury, and we sought to determine the association of antibiotic prophylaxis on SPI development following a spinal gunshot wound (GSW).
Methods: A single-center retrospective cohort study was performed on adults who sustained a GSW to the spinal column over 11 y. Patients were excluded if they died within 24 h or had a mechanism other than GSW.
Evaluation of ballistics euthanasia applied to stranded cetaceans using ethological and post-mortem computed tomography assessment.
Vet Res Commun
December 2024
Cetacean Ecology Research Group, College of Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 102-904, Auckland, New Zealand.
Debilitated stranded cetaceans with low survival likelihood, may require euthanasia to avoid further suffering. Euthanasia can involve chemical or physical methods, including ballistics. Ballistics should cause instantaneous, permanent insensibility through brainstem disruption.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFScoring system for unstable spinal gunshot wounds: the study protocol.
Zh Vopr Neirokhir Im N N Burdenko
August 2024
Peoples' Friendship University of Russia, Moscow, Russia.
Article Synopsis
- The study aims to develop a new scoring system for assessing unstable spinal gunshot wounds, as existing classifications are insufficient for this type of injury.
- It will analyze clinical and CT data from patients with thoracolumbar spinal injuries and use the Delphi method for expert collaboration to enhance the accuracy of this classification.
- The research highlights the need for specialized approaches due to the unique nature of gunshot wounds, which differ from typical closed spinal injuries in terms of injury mechanism and treatment strategies.
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!