Author(s)

Ekouele Mbaki Hugues Brieux^1,2*, Loko Ruben Ange Florice¹, Tiafumu Konde Christ Arnaud³, Mbou Essie Darius Eryx¹, Boukaka Kala Rel Gerald², Boukassa Léon^1,2

¹Faculty of Health Sciences, Marien Ngouabi University, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo.
²Multipurpose Surgery Department, University Hospital Center of Brazzaville, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo.
³Emergency Department, University Hospital Center of Brazzaville, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo.

Introduction: Traumatic spinal cord injuries (TSCI) are a public health problem. Subaxial cervical spine trauma (SCST) is the most common. They are a source of neurological consequences that can affect the functional prognosis, but above all vital. The objective of this study was to describe the profile of patients with lower cervical spine trauma. Method: We carried out a cross-sectional and retrospective study over seven years, from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2021, in the multipurpose surgery department of the University Hospital Center of Brazzaville. We included all patients hospitalized for SCST, having performed at least one radiological examination. We excluded all patients whose records were incomplete. Results: We recorded 90 cases of SCST, and 60 cases met our selection criteria. The median age was 37 years, with the extremes of 6 and 83, the sex ratio of 3.6. The level of education was secondary in 45 cases (75%), and university in 13 cases (21.7%). Road traffic accidents accounted for 68.3% of cases, followed by falls in 16.7%. Motorcyclists were the most frequent victims (46.3%). Among the 60 patients in the series, three (5%) had health insurance. Conclusion: The SCST concerns subjects in their thirties, of the male sex. Road traffic accidents are the first cause, and mainly concern motorcyclists.

Subaxial Cervical Spine Trauma, Road Traffic Accidents, Prevention

Brieux, E. , Florice, L. , Arnaud, T. , Eryx, M. , Gerald, B. and Léon, B. (2023) Socio-Demographic Profile of Patients Victims of Subaxial Cervical Spine Trauma at the University Hospital of Brazzaville (Congo). Open Journal of Modern Neurosurgery, 13, 137-144. doi: 10.4236/ojmn.2023.133016.