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East and Central African Journal of Surgery
Association of Surgeons of East Africa and College of Surgeons of East Central and Southern Africa
ISSN: 1024-297X EISSN: 1024-297X
Vol. 18, No. 1, 2013, pp. 10-17
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Bioline Code: js13002
Full paper language: English
Document type: Research Article
Document available free of charge
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East and Central African Journal of Surgery, Vol. 18, No. 1, 2013, pp. 10-17
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Prevalence and presentation of spinal injury in patients with major trauma admitted in Mulago hospital
Okello, E.; Nyati, M. & Naddumba, E.K.
Abstract
Background:
Spinal injury is a major cause of morbidity, mortality and long bed occupancy in
patients admitted in Mulago Hospital. Several studies have reported different incidence and
presentations of spinal injury 1-4. At Mulago hospital, road traffic crushes (RTC) is one of the
most common causes of these injuries5. However the magnitude of the problem is unknown
and this impacts on planning of services. The main objective was to determine the prevalence
and presentation of spinal injury among patients with major trauma admitted at Mulago
hospital, Kampala.
Method:
A Cross-sectional descriptive study was done on 669 patients with major trauma
admitted in the Accident and Emergency ward of Mulago Hospital. Newly admitted patients
were consecutively enrolled in the study. Data was collected using questionnaires capturing
information from relevant history, physical examination and X-ray interpretation. This was
done between November 2008 and January 2009. Data was entered into the Epi-data
statistical programme and exported to SPSS statistical programme for analysis.
Results:
Of the 669 patients enrolled, 59 had spinal injury thus giving a prevalence of 8.8%.
Most of the patients had Neurological involvement and Frankel A was the most common
neurological sign. All patients had X-rays done and fracture was the most common
radiological diagnosis and the majority of the respondents had unstable spine. Long bone
fractures were the most common associated injury.
Conclusions and recommendation:
The prevalence of Spinal injury among the trauma patients
is 8.8% with Frankel A score being the most common neurological injury, while fractures
being the most common radiological diagnosis. There should be measures instituted by the
policy makers to prevent spinal injury. The hospital should be fully equipped to manage spinal
injury patients before they go back into the community.
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© Copyright 2013 - East and Central African Journal of Surgery
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