Introduction: Gold panning is the research and artisanal exploitation of gold\nin the auriferous areas (rivers or others). Traumatisms arising from these activities\nare due to severe spinal cord injury and generally affect young people\nin full activity. They constitute a real social handicap in Mali and even in\nAfrica. The aim of our study is to share our expertise in the management of\nthese vertebro-medullary traumas in these miners who currently escape to all\ncontrols in Mali. Material and Methods: From 2013 to 2016, 76 Traumatic\nSpine Cord Injuries (TSCI) were treated in the department of Neurosurgery\nof â??Hospital du Maliâ?. There were 73 males (96.05%) versus 03 Females\n(3.95%), aged between 21 - 43 years old. Results: All of our patients were\nadmitted with deficit differing from paraparesis to tetraplegia. According to\nFrankel scale, we found 59 patients with complete deficits (A grade, 77.63%),\nand incomplete deficits in 17 cases (12 grade B, 04 grade C, 01 grade D). The\nX-ray standard radiographies were done in 24 cases (31.58%) from which 02\npatients had been operated with these data. CT scan centered on the injured\nspinal segment was performed in 74 cases (97.37%). The lumbar spine was\naffected in 39 cases, followed by thoracolumbar junction in 19 cases and thoracic\nspine in 16 cases. The cervical spine was only interested in two cases.\nFractures dislocations are the most frequently lesions encountered in our series.\nThe surgical approach was performed in 74 patients and 02 patients received\nconservative treatment. Conclusion: Traumatic Spinal Cord Injuries\n(TSCI) among miners are a real disaster in Mali and continue to plague\nthousands of families or increase the number of disabled people in our society.\nIt is the only work, where the person concerned is making of his own\ngrave. And according to witnesses, several miners remained at the bottom of\nthe wells. Their prevention must first involve users by raising the awareness\nof local residents and traditional therapists, but also the country that must\nparticipate in regional development and ensure strict enforcement of regulatory\nmeasures. Our structure must have enough resources to acquire and\ntreat these patients at any time.
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