CIVILIAN PENETRATING SPINAL FIREARM INJURIES OF THE SPINE - RESULTS OF SURGICAL-TREATMENT WITH SPECIAL ATTENTION TO FACTORS DETERMINING PROGNOSIS

In this study, the cases of 17 civilians with penetrating firearm inju ries of the spinal cord treated between 1968 and 1990 at the Departmen t of Neurosurgery, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, were anal yzed. Relevant literature was reviewed and compared with our study. Th e results of treatment and other factors determining mortality rate an d prognosis were evaluated. Our study and the literature both appear t o indicate that operative intervention is the mainstay of treatment.