Derrame pleural tras cirugía de fijación espinal en pacientes con lesión medular traumática

The present study was designed with to determine the prevalence of pleural effusion after posterior approach for spinal fixation in patients with traumatic spinal fracture with underlying spinal cord lesion. The study included 20 patients over two years. The postoperative monitoring has been done in the Intensive Care Unit and have been practiced complementary examinations control, including chest x-ray study. The prevalence of pleural effusion was 75%, the time of diagnosis was within the first 48 hours after the operation. The pleural effusion does not preference for either side, and has generally been small claims. Only 4 patients it has been need drainage due to respiratory symptoms restrictive, and the o utcome have been favourable in rest of the cases at conservative treatment.