Early intradural microsurgery improves neurological recovery of acute spinal cord injury: A study of 87 cases

To introduce a novel intradural microsurgery method for acute spinal cord injury, while evaluating the safety and effect.

87 patients with complete spinal cord injury were enrolled and treated with the novel intradural microsurgery within 48 h, in addition to traditional surgical interventions (internal fixation, laminectomy).

Complications including massive hemorrhage, infection and impairment aggravation did not occur during and after surgery. There were 16 cases of B grade, 13 cases of C grade, 6 cases of D grade base on the ASIA impairment scale 3 months after surgery, and average 18.51 increase in motor score, 16.64 increase in light touch score, 17.12 increase in pin prick score were achieved.

Early intradural microsurgery is safe, causing no neurological function lost and no major adverse event, and it is associated with neurologic improvement in patients with severe spinal cord injury.