Clinical characteristics and neurological evolution in patients with traumatic cervical fractures treated at a clinic in Chía, Colombia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58814/01208845.654Keywords:
Spinal Fractures, Decompression, Surgical, Neurological Rehabilitation, Case ReportsAbstract
Introduction: Traumatic cervical fractures are an important cause of disability and morbidity, resulting in substantial functional and socioeconomic burden. Neurological outcomes are influenced by multiple factors, including neurological status at admission and the timing of surgical intervention.
Objective: To describe the clinical characteristics of patients with traumatic cervical fractures who underwent surgical treatment at a high-complexity clinic in Chía, Colombia, and to compare neurological status at admission vs at the 6-month follow-up.
Methodology: Retrospective case series study. Patients aged ≥20 years with traumatic cervical fractures who underwent surgical treatment between January 2009 and December 2023 and had clinical follow-up were included. Patients with pathological fractures, pre-existing neurological deficits, or severe comorbidities were excluded. Sociodemographic characteristics, mechanism of injury, fracture level, ASIA impairment scale grade at admission and at the 6-month follow-up, timing of surgery, and postoperative complications were analyzed. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data as frequencies, percentages, means, and ranges.
Results: A total of 70 patients were included, of whom 80% were men. The most frequent age group was 30–59 years (51.43%), followed by 20–29 years (25.71%). Falls were the most common mechanism of injury (70%), with half corresponding to work-related falls from height. Subaxial fractures accounted for 60% of cases. At admission, 80% of patients were classified as ASIA grade E or D, whereas 5% were ASIA grade A. Eighty percent underwent surgery within ≤72 hours of injury and showed better neurological recovery. Delayed surgery due to polytrauma or systemic complications was associated with poorer improvement.
Conclusion: Patients with a better neurological status at admission and those who underwent early surgery (within 72 hours) had more favorable neurological outcomes. Conversely, severe neurological impairment at admission, delayed surgery, and the presence of comorbidities were associated with a worse prognosis.
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