[Experimental injuries of the spinal cord]

The authors present the results of five years' research concerned with experimental injuries of the spinal cord. The authors studied in cats and rabbits four types of problems: 1. the dynamics of injuries of the spinal cord from the morphological and biochemical aspect, in particular the development and shape of the lesion after complete severing of the spinal cord at the L2 level which was performed by 10-second extradural compression of the spinal cord with an artery forceps. 2. The possibility of resection of the destroyed spinal tissue one week after the insult and the development of autodestructive processes after this resection. 3. Resection of the entire vertebra L2 in healthy animals and shortening of the spine by means of an original stabilization apparatus. 4. Resection of the vertebra, resection of the autodestroyed parts of the spinal cord and approximation of the stumps of the spinal cord by shortening the spine. The assembled findings are discussed in conjunction with contemporary research into the reconstruction of spinal functions and possible transplantations of the CNS.