Effectiveness of different surgical methods in the treatment of acute central cord syndrome without fractures and dislocations of the cervical spine

BACKGROUND: Acute central cord syndrome (ACCS) without fractures or dislocations is the most common form of incomplete spinal cord injury. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of different surgical methods in the treatment of acute central cord syndrome without fractures or dislocations of the cervical spine. METHODS: A total of 164 patients with ACCS without fracture or dislocation of the cervical spine treated in our hospital from May 2012 to October 2019 were recruited and assigned to study group A and study group B according to different treatment modalities, with 82 cases in each group. Study group A underwent anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, and study group B was treated with posterior cervical laminectomy. The American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) classification and motor scores of all cases at admission and at discharge were recorded, and the treatment outcomes of the two groups were compared. RESULTS: No significant differences were found in the ASIA classification and ASIA motor scores between the two groups at admission ([Formula: see text] 0.05). One year after surgery, the ASIA motor scores and sensory scores were not statistically significant between the two groups ([Formula: see text] 0.05) but showed significant improvement compared to the preoperative scores ([Formula: see text] 0.05). CONCLUSION: Both anterior cervical discectomy and fusion and posterior cervical laminectomy can improve the ASIA classification, ASIA motor scores, and sensory scores of ACCS patients without fractures or dislocations of the cervical spine. Therefore, surgical methods should be adopted based on the patients’ conditions.