Variations in Managing Acute Spinal Cord Injury in the North American Clinical Trials Network and Partner Institutes. Global Spine J 2026 Jan 24:21925682261421192
Date
01/24/2026Pubmed ID
41579385Pubmed Central ID
PMC12831661DOI
10.1177/21925682261421192Scopus ID
2-s2.0-105028328498 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)Abstract
Study DesignSurvey based study.ObjectivesTo evaluate current patterns for managing SCI among spine surgeons in North America.MethodsA survey of the North American Clinical Trials Network (NACTN) and other institutions collected institutional demographics and specific practices on acute SCI management. Variables included trauma level designation, annual case volumes (patient number, spine fracture and surgery performed), steroid usage, emergent cervical traction, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) access, surgical decompression timing, intraoperative ultrasound and neuromonitoring use, mean arterial pressure (MAP) and spinal cord perfusion pressure (SCPP) targets, lumbar drain use, and the influence of American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale (AIS) grade on decision-making.ResultsThirty surgeons from 23 institutions responded (93.3% Level 1 trauma centers). Most centers (93.3%) had immediate MRI access; about 70% of physicians did not use steroids. Emergent cervical traction was used by 60%. An aim of surgical decompression within 24 h was reported by 90%, with 20% operating immediately upon arrival. MAP goals were used by 93.3%, most targeting 85-90 mmHg for ≥5 days. Lumbar drains for SCPP optimization were used in 30%, typically targeting intrathecal pressure (ITP) < 15 mmHg and SCPP >60 mmHg. Management varied by AIS grade in 43.4%.ConclusionDespite agreement in the general scope of acute SCI care, significant implementation heterogeneity exists across North American spine centers. Variability was pronounced in steroid use, timing of decompression (90% within 24 h), cervical traction, and lumbar drain utilization. These findings call for evidence-based protocols to guide acute SCI management and reduce inter-institutional practice variation.
