04/01/2013 // San Francisco , CA, USA // LifeCare123 // Greg A. Vigna, MD, JD – San Francisco Injury Lawyer // (press release)

(Bay Area Injury Lawyer News) The use of steroids has been long recommended in the use of acute spinal cord injures and now that has officially changed. Published in a supplement to the March issue of Neurosurgery are the new recommendations as agreed by the joint efforts by the Congress of Neurological Surgeons and the American Association of Neurological Surgeons.

Consensus has been met and the standard of care has changed after review of older data with newer studies that showed that there is strong evidence of harmful adverse effects such as sepsis, prolonged ICU stays, and higher incidence in infections with no clear evidence of long-term benefits. Dr. Daniel Resnick who headed the committee that reviewed the studies states, “Now we’re saying don’t use steroids”.

Dr. Resnick also in a statement said there was not enough data by way of studies for an official recommendations regarding the use of hypothermia in patients with acute spinal cord injury or to support the belief in the medical community that early surgical decompression within the first 24 hours leads to improved outcome.

It is my opinion that the representatives from the above mentioned organizations should be commended for their reevaluation of this important issue in the management of spinal cord injuries to reach a consensus that will improve communication and outcomes in acutely injured spinal cord patients.

As for my article I published prior, Greg Vigna, MD, JD: – Surgery, Steroids, Cooling In Acute Spinal Cord Injuries, I change my recommendations to reflect the new standard of care.

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