RESUMEN
The incidence of spine trauma has been increasing. To investigate the incidence, characteristics, and difficulty in management of the acute spine-injuried patients in suburban area we analyzed 50 cases treated conservatively or by operative fusion over a recent one-year period. This study comprised of 26 females and 24 males, between 23 and 83 years old patients with injury of whole column of spine. The most frequent cause of injury was traffic accident. The most common lesion was the compression fracture of the first lumbar spine. Most patients complained neck or back pain on admission. In 3 cases, neurological deficits were noted. For six patients, surgical treatment were performed and 44 patients has been conservatively managed with halo brace, neck collars, and thoracolumbar orthoses. The average period of admi-ssion and immobilzation for the conservatively treated patients was 6 weeks. During which time a few complications such as progressive kyphosis, hypoalbuminemia, thrombophlebitis, urinary tract infection, paralytic ileus, bed sore, and alcohol withdrawal syndrome were aroused. In most cases, good outcomes were achieved. Most of geriatric patients, concomitant systemic diseases with cardiovascular and pulmonary dysfunction were usually present and absence of the insight on spine injury made difficulties in managment. On the basis of these results we concluded that most elderly patients with spine fracture coulde be effectively treated by conservative methods, and also careful and systemic management with adequate education for patients and their families were required.