[Local hypothermia of the spinal cord in the postoperative period]

The authors analyse their observations over 19 patients with acute and neglected trauma of the spinal cord. The patients' ages ranged from 19 to 53 years. The planned and emergency operations on the 19 patients comprised laminectomy with the use of an optic magnifier and some plastic operations on the spinal cord with the use of microsurgical techniques (suturing of roots, opening intracerebral cysts, etc.). Local hypothermia was applied in the postoperative period for the prevention of hemorrhage and oedema of the spinal cord, for relief of spasms and pain, and for the inhibition of auto-immune processes in the spinal cord. The authors confirm that local hypothermia of the spinal cord does not affect body functions and exerts a selective effect on the area exposed to hypothermia. The general positive effect of local hypothermia of the spinal cord in the postoperative period is also pointed out.