An analysis of ideal and actual time to surgery after traumatic spinal cord injury in Canada

Glennie RA, Bailey CS, Tsai EC, Noonan VK, Rivers CS, Fourney DR, Ahn H, Kwon BK, Paquet J, Drew B, Fehlings MG, Attabib N, Christie SD, Finkelstein J, Hurlbert RJ, Parent S, Dvorak MF. Spinal Cord. 2017 Jun;55(6):618-623. doi: 10.1038/sc.2016.177. Epub 2017 Apr 18.

Summary: It is believed that the less time between when a person sustains a spinal cord injury and when he or she receives surgery leads to the best outcomes. However, surgeons may have different opinions or face challenges in operating in the time period they think is best. This study found that the majority of surgeons thought surgery within 24 hours of injury is the best. However, some surgeons reported difficulties operating as early as they would like because of delays in getting an operating room or experienced staff. This study uses data from the Rick Hansen SCI Registry.

Read the full publication here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28418395/