title: The role of emergency surgery in malignant spinal extradural compression: assessment of functional outcome.
abstract: The role of emergency surgery for spinal cord or cauda equina compression secondary to extradural metastases is assessed in terms of functional outcome in 84 cases. The records of patients with proven malignant extradural spinal compression were reviewed retrospectively to determine the influence of emergency versus elective decompressive surgery on functional outcome. A greater proportion undergoing emergency surgery, rather than electively (within 24 h) on the next list showed functional improvement, with recovered mobility (61.5% vs 25%). Overall, 70% of patients were mobile postoperatively. The findings suggest that despite initial delays in referral, and even if the patient is incontinent and immobile, emergency spinal decompression is justified.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel, UK.
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Sutcliffe
authors.forename: N E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Robinson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D002283:Carcinoma, Bronchogenic / Q000473:pathology; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007796:Laminectomy; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009192:Myelography; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary*; D016896:Treatment Outcome