Epidemiology and surgical outcomes in unstable fractures of the thoracolumbar transition zone

Epidemiology and Surgical Outcomes in Unstable Fractures of the Thoracolumbar Transition Zone Objective: Traumatic pathologies should be considered as preventable diseases. Epidemiological studies are carried out more in developed countries. In our study, we aim to obtain epidemiological data for our region and to make an objective contribution to the management of this clinic by revealing the link between statistical analysis and data. Materials and Methods: Spinal surgeries performed at İnönü University Faculty of Medicine Turgut Özal Medical Center between 2011 and 2020 were reviewed retrospectively. IBM SPSS Statistics 22 program was used for statistical analysis. Normal distribution was evaluated with Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro Wilks tests. Kruskal Wallis Test, Mann Whitney U test and Wilcoxon sign test were used to compare quantitative data as well as descriptive statistical methods (mean, standard deviation, median, frequency). Chi-square test, Fisher Freeman Halton Exact Chi-square test and Single-Eyed chi-square test were used to compare qualitative data. Significance was evaluated at the p<0.05 level. Results: The incidence of fractures in men is significantly higher than in women. As age increases, the incidence of fractures increases significantly. While the most common etiological cause was falls from height, it was followed by traffic accidents. No correlation was found between genders and etiology. As the age increased, the incidence of fractures with simple falls increased significantly. When looking at the broken levels, the most L1 and then T12 vertebra fractures were detected. Accompanying organ injury was mostly detected as extremity fractures and then hemothorax. No correlation was found between chronic diseases and length of stay. No correlation was found between surgical techniques and length of stay. There was no difference between surgical techniques and success rates. Conclusions: Social awareness should be created for our region, especially about spinal fractures in agricultural workers. The elderly population should be educated about the possibility of spinal fractures with minor traumas. When surgical techniques are chosen appropriately for the patient, a high success rate can be achieved in all techniques. Analyzes provide objective data and enable better management of diseases. Every surgeon dealing with spine surgery should give importance to epidemiological and statistical studies at least as much as surgery. Keywords: Surgical outcome, Epidemiology, Thoracolumbar Transition Region, Thoracolumbar Fracture