SPINAL-CORD INJURIES IN ADOLESCENTS AFTER GUNSHOT WOUNDS - AN INCREASING PHENOMENON IN URBAN NORTH-AMERICA

While much attention is focused on firearm fatalities, the purpose of this study was to determine the expense of acute medical cave and the rehabilitation experience of surviving adolescent patients in the USA with spinal cord injury secondary to gunshot wounds. We analyzed a coh ort of 19 patients, 18 of whom survived 12 months after spinal cord in jury. The need for primary medical care related to the injury, current work and scholastic status, and satisfaction with the quality of reha bilitation were determined. Ten were not involved in any type of acade mic or meaningful activity, five had returned to school, three were un dergoing rehabilitation, and one patient died. Major complications wer e present in 14 of the 18 patients. Thus, despite a high survival rate after spinal cord injury in this USA population, considerable long-te rm disability persists, and survivors report a low level of satisfacti on with life. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.