How do early perioperative changes in AIS grade correlate with long-term neurological recovery? A retrospective cohort study

This study investigates how early neurological improvements after surgery for traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) relate to long-term recovery. Researchers analyzed data from 142 adult patients who underwent surgery for TSCI. The study found that early improvements in AIS grade (a measure of neurological function) within two weeks of surgery were associated with better long-term outcomes. Patients with less severe injuries and shorter delays to surgery were more likely to show early improvement. The findings suggest that assessing neurological status shortly after surgery is important for predicting long-term recovery potential. Early surgery may promote early neurological recovery.

• 1
  Early peri-operative neurological improvement occurred in 18 of the 142 study participants (12.7%) while AIS grade deterioration occurred in 6 individuals.
• 2
  Presenting a pre-operative AIS grade B and having shorter surgical delays were the main factors associated with stronger odds of achieving this outcome.
• 3
  Patients who presented a perioperative improvement seemed more likely to achieve later neurological improvement as well, although this was not statistically significant.