Journal of neurosurgery. Spine
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Impact of local steroid application on dysphagia following an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion: results of a prospective, randomized single-blind trial.
OBJECTIVE Intraoperative local steroid application has been theorized to reduce swelling and improve swallowing in the immediate period following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to quantify the impact of intraoperative local steroid application on patient-reported swallow function and swelling after ACDF. METHODS A prospective, randomized single-blind controlled trial was conducted. ⋯ Neither did the administration of Depo-Medrol lead to an earlier hospital discharge than that in the NODEPO cohort. These results suggest that intraoperative local steroid administration may not provide an additional benefit to patients undergoing ACDF procedures. ■ CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE Type of question: therapeutic; study design: randomized controlled trial; evidence: Class I. Clinical trial registration no.: NCT03311425 (clinicaltrials.gov).
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor administration for neurological improvement in patients with postrehabilitation chronic incomplete traumatic spinal cord injuries: a double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial.
OBJECTIVE Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) is a major growth factor for activation and differentiation of granulocyte colonies in the bone marrow. This cytokine has been widely and safely employed in different conditions over many years. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of G-CSF administration for traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI). ⋯ Also, a significant difference was observed in functional improvement between the 2 groups as measured by SCIM-III instrument (7.5 ± 0.95 vs 2.1 ± 0.51, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Administration of G-CSF for incomplete chronic spinal cord injuries is associated with significant motor, sensory, and functional improvement. Clinical trial registration no.: IRCT201108297441N1 ( www.irct.ir ).