Characteristics and clinical aspects of patients with spinal cord injury undergoing surgery

Abstract Objective To identify the characteristics of patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) undergoing surgery. Methods Previously, 321 patients with SCI were selected. Clinical and socio-demographic variables were collected. Results A total of 211 patients were submitted to surgery. Fall and injuries in the upper cervical and lumbosacral regions were associated with conservative treatment. Patients with lesions in the lower cervical spine, worse neurological status, and unstable injuries were associated with surgery. Individuals undergoing surgery were associated with complications after treatment. The authors assessed whether age influenced the characteristics of patients submitted to surgery. Subjects with n  = 92). The presence of complications increased the length of hospital stay. The simultaneous presence of morphological diagnosis, worst neurological status, tetraplegia, sensory, and motor alterations were associated with complications. Pneumonia and chest trauma were associated with mortality. Conclusion These factors enable investments in prevention, rehabilitation, and treatment.