Retrospective evaluation of patients with cervical trauma applying to the emergency department

Objective: Cervical Trauma is a type of injury with varying severity and prognosis, ranging from asymptomatic to transient neurological dysfunction, focal deficit or fatal event. This study was conducted in a university hospital to evaluate the trauma type, cervical vertebral fracture type, additional injuries, treatments and outcomes of patients who applied to the emergency department with cervical trauma. Method: Patients who applied to the emergency department between 01.05.2018 and 01.05.2021 due to suspected cervical trauma were retrospectively screened. Statistical analysis of the data was made in IBM SPSS Statics Version 26 program. Pearson Chi-Square and Fisher's Exact test were used to compare categorical data between groups, and Mann Whitney U statistical analyzes were used to compare age by gender. p˂0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: When the average age distribution of the 300 subjects included in the study according to their genders was examined; It was determined that 28.0% of the cases included in the study were female and 72% male. The median age of female cases was 29.5 (min:0- max: 96), and the median age of male cases was 25 (min: 1- max: 91). When the distribution of cases with vertebral fractures was examined, it was determined that 286 people did not have fractures, and 14 people had fractures. When the distribution of the presence of CT scan indications according to the NEXUS criteria of the cases was examined; It was determined that 75% (n= 226) had CT scan indication according to Nexus criteria, and 25% (n= 74) had no CT scan indication according to NEXUS criteria. When the distribution of Hb, Hct, pH, lactate and base deficit ratios according to the presence of cervical fracture is examined; There was a statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of low hb and hct levels (p˂0.05). Conclusion: In the results of our study, patients with cervical trauma; It was determined that it mostly occurred as a result of motor vehicle accidents, the most lesions were seen in C5-C6, patients with spinal cord compression were admitted to emergency surgery and intensive care unit, CT scan was indicated according to NEXUS criteria in most of the patients, and the most corpus fractures. It is recommended to carry out more retrospective descriptive studies in order to establish a better guideline in the treatment of cervical trauma because it is complicated, multi-disciplinary, and affects mortality and morbidity.