The Impact of Surgical Timing in Acute Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury
Abstract
The optimal surgical timing following a traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) remains controversial although some studies suggest improved neurological recovery with early surgery. Consequently, there is a wide variability in clinical practice and institutional guidelines regarding optimal surgical timing after a SCI. Our study will help guide clinicians in their practice and health administrators in the distribution of resources, by determining the optimal surgical delay after a traumatic spinal cord injury. The global objective of our prospective research is to determine the impact of surgical delay on costs, length of stay, complications, and outcomes (neurological recovery, functional status and quality of life) in a cohort of patients with a traumatic SCI. By defining the optimal surgical timing after a SCI, this study has the potential to improve the neurological and functional outcome of patients, while decreasing the costs, length of stay and complications for the acute care after a SCI. This study might ultimately modify existing guidelines for pre-hospital, en route care, and early hospital management of SCI patients in order to comply with the optimal surgical timing, and will also determine the optimal surgical timing that will minimize the rate of complications such as pressure ulcers and pneumonia.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2016
- Accession Number
- AD1024505
Entities
People
- Cynthia Thompson
- Jean-Marc Mac-Thiong