Spinal injuries in a level-one trauma centre: a demographic study.

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Epidemiology
• Trauma Surgery

Background:

• Spinal injuries are a growing concern in Malaysia, linked to rapid development and increased traffic.
• Effective preventive measures and improved management strategies are crucial for these devastating injuries.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compile local data on spine trauma in Malaysia.
• To identify key areas for preventive interventions and management improvements.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 78 patients with spine trauma admitted in 1998 to Hospital Kuala Lumpur.
• Data collected included demographics, injury cause, level, and neurological status using the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) impairment scale.

Main Results:

• Most patients (61.5%) were under 34 years old, with a 4:1 male to female ratio.
• Motor vehicle accidents (57.7%) and falls from height (28.3%) were the leading causes.
• The thoraco-lumbar junction was the most common injury site (62.5%), frequently associated with neurological deficits.

Conclusions:

• Demographic profiles are similar to international data but insufficient for comprehensive epidemiology.
• A multicenter study is recommended to gather more extensive epidemiological data for Malaysia.