MICRONEUROSURGICAL TREATMENT OF CLOSED SPINAL CORD INJURY / 解放军医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To discuss the principles of surgical treatment of closed spinal cord injury. Methods The treatment and outcome of a series of 210 patients with closed spinal cord injury admitted to our department from Jan, 1990 to Jan, 2003 were retrospectively analyzed. Results Of the 210 patients, 113 cases (53.8%) were classified as grade A, 49 cases (23.3%) as grade B, 37 cases (17.6%) as grade C, and 11 cases (5.2%) as grade D, respectively, according to Frankel's classification. After treatment and followed-up for 3 months to 10 years, 42 cases (20.0%) were re-classified as grade A, 15 cases (7.1%) as grade B, 45 cases (21.4%) as grade C, 61 cases (29.0%) as grade D, and 47 cases (22.4%) as grade E. Conclusion Surgical treatment for a patient with closed spinal cord injury depends on findings of examination of the nervous system, tomographic examination of the spinal cord, indications for decompression of the spinal cord, stabilization of the spine, early ambulation and rehabilitation. Principles of the treatment of closed spinal cord injury include early treatment, decompression of the spinal cord with operation, reduction and fixation, prevention of complications, and rehabilitation.