BACKGROUND: thoracic and lumbar fractures have been more frequent, due to the increase of energy accidents. It causes a high index of morbidity and mortality and economical and social damage. Objective: to analyze the epidemiology of thoracic and lumbar fractures in patients attended at the Hospital Getúlio Vargas, in Recife (Pernambuco). METHODS: this study is an epidemiological analysis of the thoracic and lumbar fractures in patients, who were admitted at the emergency room of Hospital Getúlio Vargas in the period between November 1st of 2007 and April 30th of 2008. Forty-two patients were admitted with thoracic and lumbar fractures, they had a total of fifty-four vertebral fractures. RESULTS: thoracic and lumbar fractures were more often in men. The average age was 39 years old. The most frequently lesion mechanism was injuries from falls (61.9%), followed by motorcycle accidents (19.05%). Neurological injuries occurred in 14.28% of the cases and 50% of the patients needed surgery. CONCLUSION: thoracic and lumbar fractures, in the present study, were more frequent in men, young adults, workers and they were caused by high falls.
Spine; Spinal fractures; Thoracic vertebrae; Lumbar vertebrae; Spinal injuries
