Obstacles in “Time to Spine”: Challenges for the Timely Delivery of Acute Surgical Care for Patients with Traumatic and Non-Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury

Abstract

Over the past three decades, advancements in our understanding of the pathophysiology of spinal cord injury (SCI) have underscored the critical importance of early treatment for both traumatic and non-traumatic cases. Early surgical intervention significantly improves outcomes by limiting the extent of secondary damage. Despite numerous studies highlighting the superior outcomes associated with early decompression surgery for patients with SCIs, hospital reviews reveal that less than 60% of patients undergo surgical decompression within 24 h of injury. This occurs despite consensus among physicians regarding the benefits of early surgery. Therefore, it is important to highlight the multifactorial causes of this knowledge to action discordance. This review aims to elucidate the administrative, logistical, and technical challenges that hinder timely access to surgery for SCIs.