Table 2

Number of moderate or major complications among multitrauma patients without neurologic injuries undergoing stabilization of spine fractures for each quartile of surgical delay

ComplicationSurgical delay, no. (%)
≤ 24 h, n = 23> 24 h to < 72 h, n = 23≥ 72 h to ≤ 7 d, n = 19> 7 d, n = 18
Pneumonia1 (4)3 (13)2 (11)7 (39)
Other respiratory (e.g., ARDS, respiratory failure)2 (9)3 (13)5 (26)3 (17)
Pulmonary embolism0 (0)1 (4)0 (0)0 (0)
Deep vein thrombosis1 (4)0 (0)1 (5)1 (6)
Other infections (e.g., UTI, wound infection)0 (0)2 (9)2 (11)1 (6)
Cardiovascular (e.g., MI, CVA)0 (0)0 (0)1 (5)2 (11)
Decubitus ulcers1 (4.4)0 (0)0 (0)0 (0)
Gastrointestinal (e.g., GI hemorrhage, dysphagia)1 (4)1 (4)1 (5)0 (0)
Intracerebral (e.g., acute hydrocephalus, meningitis)0 (0)0 (0)1 (5)1 (6)
Acute renal failure0 (0)1 (4)0 (0)0 (0)
Failure of orthopedic implant0 (0)4 (17)1 (5)2 (11)
  • ARDS = acute respiratory distress syndrome; CVA = cerebral vascular accident; GI = gastrointestinal; MI = myocardial infarction; UTI = urinary tract infection.