Management gaps of traumatic spinal cord injuries in war-torn low and middle-income nations: why has this massive problem garnered little attention? Editorial

Adebusoye, Favour T., Wireko, Andrew A., Wellington, Jack, Debrah, Anastasia F., Tenkorang, Pearl O., Abdul-Rahman, Toufik and Ovechkin, Denys 2023. Management gaps of traumatic spinal cord injuries in war-torn low and middle-income nations: why has this massive problem garnered little attention? Editorial. International Journal of Surgery 109 (3) , pp. 239-241. 10.1097/JS9.0000000000000218

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Abstract

Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) are injuries to the spinal cord that can cause changes in sensation, movement, and other functions below the site of the injury1. Traumatic spinal cord injuries (TSCIs), on the other hand, are injuries to the spinal cord caused by external trauma or force that can range in severity from mild to severe2. Spinal shock, pressure ulcers, bladder and bowel dysfunction, respiratory problems, pain, and psychological issues are all common complications of TSCIs2. The location and extent of the damage, the person’s general health, and their age all play a role in determining the specific effects of a TSCI2. TSCIs can have far-reaching consequences for individuals, their families, and society. Physically, TSCIs can cause paralysis, loss of sensation, and difficulty with mobility and daily activities, significantly reducing an individual’s independence and quality of life1. The WHO estimates the yearly incidence of TSCIs to be 40–80 cases per million people3. As a result, the precise prevalence of TSCI in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) is poorly understood; however, the estimated incidence of TSCI in LMICs is 25.5 cases per million people per year4. In many nonconflicted LMICs, the leading causes of TSCIs were motor vehicle accidents and fall injuries, but in war-torn areas, the etiologies were different, with more aggressive complications3,5. This article seeks to highlight the management gaps of TSCIs in LMICs, particularly in war zones, and offers suggested recommendations.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Published Online
Status:	Published
Schools:	Medicine
Publisher:	Elsevier
ISSN:	1743-9191
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	12 April 2023
Date of Acceptance:	6 January 2023
Last Modified:	06 May 2023 20:47
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/158600

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