POTT'S PARAPLEGIA

¹ Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery of the Indiana University School of Medicine and St. Vincent's Hospital, Indianapolis

From a prolonged and careful study of the small series here reported, it is evident that Pott's paraplegia can be simply classified as early-onset and late-onset types. The changes which occur in the two types need not necessarily change the classification of a given case, but a case of early-onset type may become like one of late-onset type.

The prognosis is always considered grave, until signs of recovery appear during recumbency treatment.

Patients with Pott's paraplegia should not be allowed to remain in a paraplegic state indefinitely. Studies of the dynamics of the spinal fluid and other studies should be made to determine whether surgery is indicated.

Of six patients operated upon less than nine months after the onset of the paraplegia. five completely recovered and one died.

Of four patients operated upon one or more years after the onset of the paraplegia, two died, one completely recovered, and one is unimproved. Patients operated upon fairly early, in whom conservative treatment had failed, recovered more rapidly and completely than those operated upon later. Of twenty-two patients treated by recumbency, eleven completely recovered; three were unimproved; three recovered partially; and five died.

No ill-effects or deaths can be attributed to the two surgical procedures employed.

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