Table 2.

Basic research on decompression post-SCI

Investigator	Species	Injury model	Timing of decompression	Intervention	Results
Delamarter et al., (1995)	Dogs	Circumferential cable	1 hour–1 week	Removal of the Pressure cable	Decompression is inversely proportional to duration of compression
Carlson et al., (1997)	Dogs	Piston	5 min, 1, and 3 hours	Removal of pressure piston	Decompression at 5 min, 30 min, and 1 hour improves recovery of evoked potentials
Dimar et al., (1999)	Rats	Extradural impactor	0, 2, 6, 24, and 72 hours	Removal of pressure spacer	Neurologic recovery is inversely related to extend and duration of compression
Carlson et al., (2003)	Dogs	Piston	30 min and 3 hours	Removal of pressure piston	Recovery was obtained the 30 minute group but absent in the 3 hour group
Rabinowitz et al., (2008)	Dogs	Nylon tie	6 hours	Surgery ± methyl prednisolone	Surgical decompression with or without methylprednisolone, improved recovery
Smith, (2010)	Rats	Infinite horizon impactor	4 hours	Durotomy ± dural allograft	Durotomy alone showed increased scar and cavity formation while durotomy with dural allograft showed improved recovery compared to sham and durotomy alone
Jones et al., (2012a)	Pigs	Weight-drop impact, 8 hours weight compression	8 hours	Removal of 100g weight	Decompression post-moderate SCI initially increased cord expansion that generally stabilized; Severe SCI caused sustained cord swelling and occlusion of subarachnoid space
Jones et al., (2012b)	Pigs	Weight-drop impact, 8 hours weight compression	8 hours	Removal of 100g weight	Cranial CSFP elevated and caudal CSFP slightly decreased during spinal compression; Responses reversed immediately post-decompression, then resolution of pressure differential