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Table 5 Complications in patients treated surgically for spine fractures versus patients treated for fractures of the pelvis, acetabulum, and/or femur

From: Complications are reduced with a protocol to standardize timing of fixation based on response to resuscitation

 

Thoracolumbar spine fracture

Other fractures

Fixation ≤36 h (n = 269)

52 patients

217 patients

 Any complication

13 (25 %)*

31 (14 %)

 Pulmonary complication

11 (21 %)*

18 (8.3 %)

Fixation >36 h (n = 66)

27 patients

39 patients

 Any complication

9 (33 %)**

13 (33 %)***

 Pulmonary complication

5 (19 %)

2 (5.1 %)

All patients (n = 335)

79 patients

256 patients

 Any complication

22 (28 %)*

44 (16 %)

 Pulmonary complication

16 (20 %)*

20 (7.8 %)

  1. *all p < 0.03 for patients with spine fractures versus other fractures
  2. **p = 0.04 for spine patients treated within 36 h versus later
  3. ***p = 0.002 for patients without spine fractures treated within 36 h versus later