title: Surgical decompression in acute spinal cord injury: A review of clinical evidence, animal model studies, and potential future directions of investigation.
abstract: The goal for treatment in acute spinal cord injury (SCI) is to reduce the extent of secondary damage and facilitate neurologic regeneration and functional recovery. Although multiple studies have investigated potential new therapies for the treatment of acute SCI, outcomes and management protocols aimed at ameliorating neurologic injury in patients remain ineffective. More recent clinical and basic science research have shown surgical interventions to be a potentially valuable modality for treatment; however, the role and timing of surgical decompression, in addition to the optimal surgical intervention, remain one of the most controversial topics pertaining to surgical treatment of acute SCI. As an increasing number of potential treatment modalities emerge, animal models are pivotal for investigating its clinical application and translation into human trials. This review critically appraises the available literature for both clinical and basic science studies to highlight the extent of investigation that has occurred, specific therapies considered, and potential areas for future research.
authors.affiliation: Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Department of Neurological Surgery and Goodman and Campbell Brain and Spine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
authors.forename: Yiping
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Department of Neurological Surgery and Goodman and Campbell Brain and Spine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
authors.forename: Chandler L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.affiliation: Norton Neuroscience Institute, Norton Healthcare, Louisville, KY 40202, USA.
authors.forename: Yi Ping
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Norton Neuroscience Institute, Norton Healthcare, Louisville, KY 40202, USA.
authors.forename: Christopher B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Shields
authors.affiliation: Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Department of Neurological Surgery and Goodman and Campbell Brain and Spine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
authors.forename: Xiao-Ming
authors.initials: XM
authors.lastname: Xu
keywords: acute spinal cord injury; animal models; durotomy; surgical decompression