Türk Tıp Dergisi

Öz

In this study, we evaluated the vertebra fractures and associated injuries in patients who were applied to emergency service because of multiple trauma. The study included 90 patients ( 67 men (%74.4), 23 women (%25.6); mean age 31.2±9.2 years ; range 20 to 63 years) who applied to Emergency Service because of multiple trauma and treated for vertebra fractures from 2000 to 2008. Evaluations included demographic features of patients, associated injuries, trauma mechanisms .fracture levels , types and treatment modalities. The types of fractures were assessed according to the Denis classification. According to Denis classification, the types of fractures were classified as follows: compression fractures (n=54, 60.0%), burst fractures (n=32 , 35.5%), flexion-distraction (n= 3, 3.3%) and fracture-dislocation (n=1, 1.2%). The most common localization was the thoracolumbar spine with 65 fractures (56.6%). Involvement was at one level in 72 patients (80% ), two levels in 14 patients (15.5% ) and three levels in 4 patients (4.5% ).The causes of fractures were traffic accidents in 50 patients (55.6% ), fall from high places in 35 patients (38.9% ) and direct trauma in 5 patients (5.5% ). Associated fractures were detected in 35 patients (38.8% ); the most common being femur diaphysis and collum fractures in 8 patients (8.8% ). Apart from orthopedic problems, 43 patients (47.6% ) had head trauma and/or other organ injuries. Every patient presenting with a multiple trauma should be regarded as having a spinal trauma. When a vertebra fracture is detected, investigation should be extended for involvement at other levels fractures and associated injuries.