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 studiessuggest improved neurological recovery with early surgery. Consequently, there is wide variability in clinical practiceand institutional guidelines regarding optimal surgical timing after a SCI. Our study will help guide clinicians in theirpractice and health administrators in the distribution of resources, by determining the optimal surgical delay after atraumatic spinal cord injury. The global objective of our study 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 patients witha traumatic SCI. Results obtained in the last reporting period show that early surgery improves neurological recovery inpatients with a complete cervical lesion. Moreover, modifiable, extrinsic factors contribute to surgical delay while thepatients health status does not affect this delay.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 2018
Accession Number
AD1094945

Entities

People

  • AndrĂ©ane Richard-Denis
  • Cynthia Thompson
  • Jean-Marc Mac-Thiong

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Databases
  • Health Services
  • Information Science
  • Lung Diseases
  • Medical Personnel
  • Patient Care
  • Spinal Injuries
  • Surveys
  • Wounds And Injuries

Fields of Study

  • Medicine

Readers

  • Medical or Health Care Field.
  • Neurotrauma and Rehabilitation Medicine.
  • Trauma or Military Medicine