J Neurointensive Care.  2018 Oct;1(1):15-19. 10.32587/jnic.2018.00052.

Surgical Treatment in Neurocritical Care for Acute Spinal Cord Injuries

• Kwon WK
• Park DH
• Kim H
• Park WB
• Oh JK
• Moon HJ
• Kim JH
• Park YK

• KMID: 2555414
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.32587/jnic.2018.00052

Abstract

Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) is common devastating injury which results in enormous socioeconomic burden. Multimodal approach to the patient is essential in neurocritical care ofr SCI patients. Among various treatment modalities, surgical decompression and stabilization plays an important role. This article highlights the issues regarding surgical management of neurocritical and neurointensive care for SCI. Although there are still some debate regarding the optimal timing for surgery in SCI patients, it is clear by previous literature that surgery has a specific benefit for neurocritical care in SCI patients and early surgery benefits specific SCI patients. The goals of surgery in SCI are correcting and reducing the broken biomechanical alignment and stabilizing it by instrumentation while decompressing the neural structures. By understanding the role of surgery in SCI neurociritcal care, we believe we can better access and treat these patients.

Keyword

Spinal cord injury; Neurointensive care; Neurocritical care; Spine