An “early” spinal surgery post trauma has higher benefits and faster, healthier recoveries

There is a strong debate on the effects of spine surgery after trauma. Researchers found that an “early” surgery prevented or reversed some of the secondary damage. Secondary damages were caused by swelling and decreased blood flow to the injured spine. An “early” surgery resulted in greater motor and neurological improvement in patients, hence a shorter hospital stay. However, there is no evidence supporting the same. There is huge bias as well as heterogeneity within and between the different studies conducted. Almost all the studies that are compared have results from patients with various degrees of severities and spinal cord injuries. W. Dalton says, "This timely article contributes additional data and discussion to the general topic of decompression surgery as an effective strategy to protect against traumatic SCI”. "This well done meta-analysis of published data should therefore be of great interest to the readership of the Journal, including spinal surgeons."