Neurosurgical aspects of falls from flat-roofed houses

Abstract

Objective: This study analyzed the current incidence and characteristics of neurosurgical injuries after falls from flat-roofed houses in Adiyaman. Patients and Methods: This retrospective study evaluated data of 31 patients who fell from flat-roofed houses and consulted the neurosurgery unit between January and December 2017 at Adiyaman University Hospital, Turkey. Mann–Whitney U test and Spearman coefficient were used for statistical analysis. Results: There were 19 male and 12 female patients [mean age, 16.8 (range: 1–78) years; <18 years = 77%]. The 2017 crude rate of falls in Adiyaman was 5/100,000 cases. Mean fall height was 2.8 ± 1.0 (2–6) m. The number of cases is significantly higher in months with temperature >33°C (June–September) than those <33°C (p = 0.006). The most common pathology on initial computed tomography was isolated linear fracture (38%). Five patients (2 cranial, 3 spinal) underwent surgery. All patients, except one, reported no or acceptable symptoms in their first outpatient clinic visit. The overall mortality rate was 0%. Conclusion: High falls from flat-roofed houses are still a common cause of neurosurgical injury. However, the current incidence in Adiyaman is currently not as high as the rates 20 years ago in Diyarbakir, a neighboring city with similar lifestyles.

Keywords

• Fall
• Flat-roofed houses
• Incidence
• Injury
• Neurosurgery
• Trauma

References

1. Yagmur Y, Guloglu C, Aldemir M, Orak M. Falls from flatroofed houses: a surgical experience of 1643 patients. Injury 2004;35:425-8. doi: 10.1016/S0020-1383(03)00198-0
2. Rudelli BA, Silva MV, Akkari M, Santili C. Accidents due to falls from roof slabs. Sao Paulo Med J 2013;131:153-7. doi:10.1590/1516-3180.2013.131.3479
3. Umerani MS, Abbas A, Sharif S. Traumatic brain injuries: experience from a tertiary care centre in Pakistan. Turk Neurosurg 2014;24:19-24. doi: 10.5137/1019-5149. JTN.7080-12.1
4. Turkish Statistical Institute. http://www.tuik.gov.tr/. Accessed: 1 March 2019
5. Accuweather Inc. https://www.accuweather.com/. Accessed: 1 March 2019
6. Johnson NB, Hayes LD, Brown K, et al. CDC National Health Report: leading causes of morbidity and mortality and associated behavioral risk and protective factors—United States, 2005-2013. MMWR Suppl 2014;63:3-27.
7. Chen SS, Bosson N, Gausche-Hill M, Gorospe DD, Tadeo RE. The evolution of trauma in Los Angeles county over more than a decade. J Public Health Manag Pract 2019;25:E17-E20. doi: 10.1097/PHH.000.000.0000000745
8. Icer M, Guloglu C, Orak M, Ustundag M. Factors affecting mortality caused by falls from height. Ulus Travma Acil Cerrahi Derg 2013;19:529-35. doi: 10.5505/tjtes.2013.77535

9. Al B, Yildirim C, Coban S. Falls from heights in and around the city of Batman. Ulus Travma Acil Cerrahi Derg 2009;15:141-7.