Neglected Thoraco Lumbar Traumatic Spine Injuries

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Neurosurgery
• Traumatology

Background:

• Overlooked diagnosis is a primary cause of neglected spine injuries, with varying reasons in different global regions.
• There is a notable scarcity of comprehensive literature on the management of neglected spinal injuries.
• Understanding the specific etiological factors in developing nations is crucial for improving patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the causes, complications, and management challenges of neglected thoracolumbar spine injuries.
• To identify key etiological factors contributing to delayed treatment of thoracolumbar trauma.
• To analyze the common complications and treatment difficulties in this patient population.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective study design was employed to analyze patient data.
• Inclusion criteria: thoracolumbar traumatic injuries untreated for over three weeks.
• Data collected included demographics, surgical procedures, complications, American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grade, and Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM) scores.

Main Results:

• Forty patients with neglected thoracolumbar spine injuries were included in the study.
• Major etiological factors were inadequate initial treatment (45%), late presentation (38%), and missed injuries (17%).
• Common complications included pressure sores (58%), back pain (57%), urinary tract infections (42%), and residual kyphotic deformity (42%).

Conclusions:

• Managing neglected thoracolumbar spine injuries is complex and presents significant challenges.
• Delayed presentation should not deter spine surgeons from pursuing operative intervention.
• Positive surgical outcomes are achievable even with delayed treatment for these injuries.