Spinal gunshot wounds: A retrospective, multicenter, cohort study

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Trauma Surgery
• Public Health

Background:

• Spinal gunshot wounds (SGWs) present unique challenges in trauma management.
• Understanding demographic and clinical patterns is crucial for optimizing care in diverse settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize patients with SGWs across Latin America.
• To describe their clinical features and treatment modalities.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective, multicenter cohort study.
• Involved 12 institutions across Latin America from 2015-2022.
• Collected demographic, clinical, and treatment data.

Main Results:

• 423 patients with SGWs were analyzed, predominantly male civilians.
• Thoracic and lumbar spine injuries were most common, with 76% experiencing neurological deficits.
• Conservative management was favored (79%), with surgery in 21%.

Conclusions:

• The majority of SGW patients were treated non-surgically.
• Factors like canal compromise and retained fragments influenced surgical decisions.
• Neurological compromise was a significant predictor for surgical intervention.