Outcome of decompression surgery for cervical spinal cord injury without bone and disc injury in patients with spinal cord compression: a multicenter prospective study

Study design: A multicenter prospective study comparing the neurological outcome of patients treated by surgical intervention versus conservative treatment for cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI) without bone and disc injury. Objective: To evaluate the neurological outcome of decompression surgery for CSCI without bone and disc injury in patients with spinal cord compression with incomplete paralysis (AIS B, C). Setting: The Japan LHWO Spinal Injuries Center and the other 10 labor accident hospitals in Japan. Methods: Thirty-four patients with AIS B, C and cervical spinal cord compression were classified into either a surgical treatment group or a conservative treatment group. The 34 patients enrolled were equally divided between the groups. Patients with AIS B, C and mild spinal compression were enrolled into another group. Results: The neurological outcome of surgical treatment and conservative treatment for AIS B, C with spinal cord compression was found to be closely similar. In addition, the neurological outcome was also similar to that observed after conservative treatment for AIS B, C in patients presenting with mild spinal cord compression. Conclusions: Surgical treatment was not found to be superior to conservative treatment for CSCI patients without bone and disc injury suffering from spinal cord compression in the acute phase.