Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42426232›Full record

SynthesisSpinal cord2026

Effect of intradural decompression on neurological recovery in acute spinal cord injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Tomasz Tykocki

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Spinal cord, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

1 author.

Tomasz TykockiDepartment of Paediatric Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital named after prof. dr med. Jan Bogdanowicz in Warsaw, Warszawa, Poland. ttykocki@gmail.com.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

STUDY

designSystematic Review and Meta-Analysis

objectivesTo evaluate the effect of intradural decompression (durotomy with or without duroplasty) on neurological recovery and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-related complications following acute traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI).

methodsA systematic review and meta-analysis were performed according to PRISMA guidelines. Studies evaluating intradural decompression in traumatic SCI were included, and outcomes were pooled using random-effects models.

resultsEight observational studies were included. Intradural decompression was associated with improved motor recovery (SMD 0.82, 95% CI 0.62-1.02; p < 0.00001), with moderate heterogeneity (I² = 59%). The pooled neurological improvement rate was approximately 82%, although substantial heterogeneity was present (I² = 77%). Subgroup analysis demonstrated a significant effect in incomplete or mixed SCI populations (SMD 1.40, 95% CI 0.05-2.75), whereas the effect in complete injuries was not statistically significant (SMD 1.21, 95% CI - 0.36-2.78). No significant increase in CSF-related complications was observed (OR 2.29, 95% CI 0.79-6.63; I² = 0%). Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the overall findings despite evidence of small-study effects.

conclusionsIntradural decompression may improve neurological recovery following acute SCI, particularly in patients with incomplete injuries. However, the current evidence is limited to observational studies with substantial heterogeneity and risk of bias. High-quality prospective comparative studies and randomized trials are required before routine adoption can be recommended.

Indexed as

Decompression, SurgicalRecovery of FunctionSpinal Cord InjuriesHumans

Identifiers

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.