Experience with the management of pulmonary complications in patients with cervical spine fractures and concurrent cervical cord injury in Wenchuan earthquake
10.3760/cma.j.issn.1671-8925.2009.03.004
- VernacularTitle:地震中颈椎骨折伴颈脊髓损伤和(或)肺部并发症患者救治体会
- Author:
Yi-Ze HUANG
1
;
Da-Xiong FENG
;
Jian-Ping KANG
;
Fei YE
;
Li-Gang CHEN
;
Ding-Jun LI
Author Information
1. 泸州医学院附属医院
- Keywords:
Earthquake;
Spinal cord injury;
Cervical spine fracture;
Pulmonary complication
- From:
Chinese Journal of Neuromedicine
2009;8(3):226-229
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To investigate the factors associated with the occurrence of pulmonary complication in patients with cervical spine fiactures and concurrent cervical cord injury in Wenchuan earthquake. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted among the 9 patients with cervical spine fractures and cervical cord injuries treated in our department between May 12 to August 6, 2008. Results All the patients received surgical treatment for cervical spine fractures and cervical cord injuries. Six of the patients developed pulmonary complications 5 days after the injury, including 3 patients with pneumonia, 2 with ventilation disorder, and 1 with lung edema and hemopnenmothorax. Aggressive respiratory management was administered in these patients, and the pulmonary complications were effectively controlled. Conclusion Patients with cervical spine fractures and concurrent cervical cord injury often experience severe pulmonary complications during the acute phase (<5 days), which can be more likely in patients with high level injury, chest trauma, old age, preexisting pulmonary illnesses or smoking history. Early detection of the complications results in better therapeutic effect with conservative therapy.
