Early versus delayed surgical decompression for traumatic spinal cord injury
Official title: COMPARISON OF DELAYED VERSUS EARLY SURGICAL DECOMPRESSION FOR TRAUMATIC SPINAL CORD INJURY
Run by Fauji Foundation Hospital · NCT07583836 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study will see if having surgery early rather than later leads to better recovery for adults with traumatic spinal cord injury.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 60 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 100 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Fauji Foundation Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Rawalpindi) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | August 30, 2025 |
| Main results expected | March 1, 2026 |
| Study ends | June 1, 2026 |
| Registry record updated | May 13, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07583836 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults aged 18–60 presenting with acute traumatic cervical or thoracic spinal cord injury who are candidates for surgical decompression and fit for general anesthesia are ideal candidates.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with penetrating spinal injuries, pre-existing neurologic disease, malignancy, infection, non-traumatic cord compression, or who are unfit for anesthesia are unlikely to benefit from this protocol.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This is a single-center observational cohort at Fauji Foundation Hospital comparing clinical outcomes after early versus delayed surgical decompression in adults (18–60 years) with acute cervical or thoracic traumatic spinal cord injury. Treatment timing is decided by the clinical team rather than random assignment, and investigators will collect data on neurological recovery, complications, and functional outcomes to compare the two groups. Key exclusions include penetrating injuries, pre-existing neurologic disorders, malignancy, infection, inability to cooperate with exams, and patients unfit for general anesthesia. The study aims to provide local, context-specific evidence to help guide timing of decompression in the hospital’s patient population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could identify the timing approach that leads to better neurological recovery and lower morbidity for patients at this center.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies are mixed—some report neurological benefit with early decompression while others find no clear difference, so the approach is not uniformly proven.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Patients presenting with spinal cord injury (both cervical and thoracic) as per described in the operational definition * Age from 18-60 years * Both male and female patients Exclusion Criteria: * Patients with penetrating spinal injuries such as gunshot/stab wounds * Patients with pre-existing neurological conditions like myelopathy etc. * Patients with any kind of malignancy * Patients having CSF infection etc. * Patients who are not fit for general anesthesia (i.e. ASA Grade \>2 Annexure-B) * Diagnosis of subclinical or clinical polyneuropathy * Non-traumatic or pathological fractures or cord compression * Inability to cooperate with preoperative physical examination because of cognitive impairment * Patients with previous spinal column or SCI.
Where it's running
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Fauji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi
Rawalpindi, Pakistan Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Dr. Salman Tahir, MBBS
- Email: ffh.rawalpindi@fauji.org.pk
- Phone: +92 322 6192355
Similar studies
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.