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

Objective: To introduce a novel intradural microsurgery method for acute spinal cord injury, while evaluating the safety and effect. Methods: 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). Results: 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. Conclusions: 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.