Epidemiology Profile of Traumatic Spine Injury of a Spinal Cord Service in the State of Espírito Santo

Abstract

Objective To analyze the epidemiological profile of patients with traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) undergoing surgical procedures in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil. Methods A cross-sectional, descriptive study was performed based on the analysis of 70 medical records of patients who underwent surgery due to traumatic SCI in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil. Results Males comprised 79% of the patients. The average age of the occurrence of the traumatic SCI was 44 years; automobile accidents were the main cause of trauma (44%). Half of the patients had lesions in the cervical region, and 46% were classified as Frankel A, according to the Frankel scale. In the first 60 days after surgery, the main complication presented by the patients was urinary tract infection (UTI). Half of the patients were from the metropolitan area. Conclusion Patients undergoing surgery for traumatic SCI in the state of Espírito Santo are predominantly men, with a mean age of 44 years, with cervical spine injury due to car accidents, from the metropolitan area, and whose main complication was UTI.