Traumatic spine injuries in Eastern India: A retrospective observational study

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Trauma Surgery
• Neurosurgery
• Public Health

Background:

• Trauma remains a leading global cause of hospitalization, with spinal injuries posing significant risks of permanent disability.
• Understanding the epidemiology and characteristics of traumatic spine injuries (TSI) is crucial for effective management and prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To delineate the demographic profile, injury patterns, and outcomes of patients with traumatic spine injuries.
• To analyze the associations between injury severity, neurological deficits, and fracture morphology in TSI patients.
• To compare the observed TSI patterns in eastern India with existing literature.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 103 patients with TSI at a level 1 trauma center in eastern India.
• Data collected included patient demographics, mechanism of injury (MOI), fracture morphology, neurological grading (ASIA), and associated injuries.
• Statistical analyses, including Spearman's rank correlation and Pearson's chi-squared test, were used to determine correlations between injury severity score (ISS), ASIA impairment scale, and morphological patterns.

Main Results:

• The study population comprised predominantly younger males (median age 39 years, male:female ratio 5.87:1), with falls from height being the most common MOI (43.7%).
• Cervical spine injuries were most frequent (n=30), with multilevel involvement and Type A fracture patterns predominating.
• A high incidence of polytrauma (73%) and severe neurological damage (ASIA A-C in 69 patients) was observed, with significant correlations between ISS and ASIA scores (ρ=0.561, P<0.001) and morphology and ASIA scores (χ²=69.7, P<0.001).

Conclusions:

• Traumatic spine injuries in this eastern Indian cohort are characterized by a younger demographic, multilevel involvement, significant neurological deficits, associated injuries, and high ISS.
• The epidemiological and clinical patterns of TSI in eastern India exhibit distinct characteristics compared to previous studies from other regions.
• These findings underscore the need for region-specific trauma care protocols and injury prevention initiatives.