Primary treatment of paraplegic patients.

Concerted investigations conducted within a period of seven years by the special centres of primary treatment of patients with paraplegia in the German Federal Republic show nearly constant distributions: injuries 84%, road accidents 48%, tetraplegia 39%. Every hospital must be able to perform the primary treatment of patients with paraplegia. A detailed primary examination is necessary. 20% of the patients suffer from a traumatic shock, which is frequently mistaken for a spinal shock. In 60% of the patients associated injuries of varying importance are found. Intensive control is therefore indispensable. Indications for surgery intended to ameliorate a paralysis are extremely rare, they are more frequent with the intention of stabilizing the spine. Conservative treatment of the spine is still very important in these injuries. Today, recent paraplegics are quickly admitted to the special services, eventually through the intermediary of the central office in Hamburg. The above aspects are briefly explained.