Incidence of Spinal Cord Injury After Cervical Spine Decompression Surgery

Incidence and Risk Factors

• Spinal cord repercussion injury occurs in approximately 13% of patients following cervical spine decompression surgery, with paraplegia/quadriplegia being among the most serious complications 1
• The overall complication rate following cervical spine decompression ranges from 18-21%, with neurological deficits representing a significant portion of these complications 1, 2
• Paraplegia/quadriplegia is reported in 13% of cases following cervical spine decompression surgery 1

Timing Considerations and Outcomes

• Timing of decompression surgery significantly impacts neurological outcomes and complication rates 3, 4

Long-term Outcomes

• The prognosis for patients with both head and cervical injury is typically poor, with approximately 25% being discharged to dedicated nursing facilities 5
• In patients with achondroplasia undergoing cervical decompression, 91% had resolution of symptoms, but with 2% mortality, 9% reoperation, and 21% complication rates 6
• The economic impact of cervical spinal cord injury is substantial, with lifetime care costs estimated at US$1 million per patient with tetraplegia 7