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DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1749414
Treatment of Acute Spinal Cord Injuries: A Survey Among Iberolatinoamerican Spine Surgeons – Part 1: Use of High-Dose Corticosteroids
Article in several languages: português | English Financial Support The present study received no financial support from public, commercial, or not-for-profit sources.![](https://www.thieme-connect.de/media/10.1055-s-00042410/202302/lookinside/thumbnails/10-1055-s-0042-1749414_2200009_en-1.jpg)
Abstract
Objective The aim of the present study was to evaluate the current practice of using of methylprednisolone sodium succinate (MPSS) in acute spinal cord Injuries (ASCIs) among spine surgeons from Iberolatinoamerican countries.
Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study design as a survey was conducted. A questionnaire composed of 2 sections, one on demographic data regarding the surgeons and MPSS administration, was sent by email to members of the Sociedad Ibero Latinoamericana de Columna (SILACO, in the Spanish acronym) and associated societies.
Results A total of 182 surgeons participated in the study: 65.4% (119) orthopedic surgeons and 24.6% (63) neurosurgeons. Sixty-nine (37.9%) used MPSS in the initial management of ASCIs. There were no significant differences between countries (p = 0.451), specialty (p = 0.352), or surgeon seniority (p = 0.652) for the use of corticosteroids in the initial management of ASCIs. Forty-five (65.2%) respondents reported using an initial high-dose bolus (30 mg/Kg) followed by a perfusion (5.4 mg/kg/h). Forty-six (66.7%) surgeons who used MPSS only prescribed it if the patients presented within 8 hours of the ASCI. Most of the surgeons (50.7% [35]) administered high-dose corticosteroids because of the conviction that it has clinal benefits and improves neurological recovery.
Conclusion Results from the present survey show that MPSS use in ASCI is not widespread within spine surgeons and that the controversy regarding its use remains unresolved. This is probably due to the low level of evidence of the available data, to variations over the years, to inconsistencies in acute care protocols, and to health service pathways.
The present work was developed at the Orthopedics Department of the Hospital and University Center of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
Publication History
Received: 04 January 2022
Accepted: 05 April 2022
Article published online:
02 August 2022
© 2022. Sociedade Brasileira de Ortopedia e Traumatologia. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
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