Management of gunshot wounds to the spine at Parakou University Teaching Hospital In Benin Republics

Abstract

Objective: Describe the clinical features and bullet removal in gunshot wound (GSW) to the spine.
Patients and methods: From 2015 to 2021 we present Case series of consecutive five cases of GSW
with spinal cord injury treated at a single center of parakou university neurosurgery department.

Results: Patient ages ranged from 16 to 40 yr (mean: 27.4 yr). All the patients were male. Three had
complete thoracic spinal cord injury (ASIA A), two had lumbar level injury with cauda equina syndrome
in one case. Surgical and rehabilitation management, as well as the outcome, of a patient who with
sustained spinal cord injury from a high velocity gunshot wound to the thoracic spine. Decompression
and bullet removal were performed using an open surgery. The patient with thoracic spinal cord lesion
associated with extended injuries related to bullet fragmentation have a poor prognosis. The patients
with incomplete injuries had a good follow-up and neurologic recovery. There were no postoperative
wound infections, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistulas, or other complications related to the procedure.

Conclusion: Surgical decompression and bullet removal is a safe technique that may help reduce the
risk of postoperative infections and CSF fistulas in patients with GSW to the thoracic and lumbar spine.