Surgical outcomes of tethered cord syndrome in adults versus pediatric patients: A comparative study

Background: Tethered cord syndrome (TCS) is a neurological disorder caused by the abnormal attachment of the spinal cord, which limits movement and leads to progressive neurological deficits. This study compares the surgical outcomes of TCS in pediatric and adult patients following detethering surge...

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Main Authors: Dinesh Shukla, Hari Prakash Rai, Shivam Sharma
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Manipal College of Medical Sciences, Pokhara 2025-03-01
Series:Asian Journal of Medical Sciences
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Online Access:https://ajmsjournal.info/index.php/AJMS/article/view/4427
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author Dinesh Shukla
Hari Prakash Rai
Shivam Sharma
author_facet Dinesh Shukla
Hari Prakash Rai
Shivam Sharma
author_sort Dinesh Shukla
collection DOAJ
description Background: Tethered cord syndrome (TCS) is a neurological disorder caused by the abnormal attachment of the spinal cord, which limits movement and leads to progressive neurological deficits. This study compares the surgical outcomes of TCS in pediatric and adult patients following detethering surgery at Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, between August 2015 and August 2024. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess and compare the surgical outcomes, complication rates, and long-term prognosis in pediatric and adult TCS patients, with a focus on neurological improvement, post-operative complications, and quality of life. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted, including 120 patients (60 pediatric and 60 adult) who underwent surgical detethering. Data were collected on patient demographics, presenting symptoms, surgical details, and post-operative outcomes. The primary outcomes were neurological improvement and functional independence. Secondary outcomes included complication rates and quality of life, assessed over a 2–5-year follow-up period. Results: Pediatric patients had significantly better neurological recovery (improvement in 70% vs. 45% of adults, P=0.014) and fewer complications (15% vs. 32%, P=0.045) compared to adults. Pediatric patients had lower re-tethering rates (10% vs. 18%, P=0.132) and higher functional independence (Glasgow outcome scale ≥4: 90% vs. 60%, P<0.001). Quality of life scores were significantly higher in pediatric patients (SF-36 score: 85.2±10.6 vs. 72.3±12.8, P=0.021). Conclusion: Pediatric patients exhibit better surgical outcomes, including higher rates of neurological improvement and fewer complications. Early diagnosis and timely surgical intervention are critical for optimizing outcomes, especially in pediatric patients.
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spelling doaj-art-304ff38772b343cc8441fb45c9b5b9a22025-08-20T02:17:06ZengManipal College of Medical Sciences, PokharaAsian Journal of Medical Sciences2467-91002091-05762025-03-011636873https://doi.org/10.71152/ajms.v16i3.4427Surgical outcomes of tethered cord syndrome in adults versus pediatric patients: A comparative studyDinesh Shukla 0https://orcid.org/0009-0002-7177-6976Hari Prakash Rai 1https://orcid.org/0009-0009-0388-8432Shivam Sharma 2https://orcid.org/0009-0003-8013-7866Associate Professor, Department of Neurosurgery, Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, India Assistant Professor, Department of Neurosurgery, Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, India Postgraduate Resident, Department of Surgery, Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, India Background: Tethered cord syndrome (TCS) is a neurological disorder caused by the abnormal attachment of the spinal cord, which limits movement and leads to progressive neurological deficits. This study compares the surgical outcomes of TCS in pediatric and adult patients following detethering surgery at Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, between August 2015 and August 2024. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess and compare the surgical outcomes, complication rates, and long-term prognosis in pediatric and adult TCS patients, with a focus on neurological improvement, post-operative complications, and quality of life. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted, including 120 patients (60 pediatric and 60 adult) who underwent surgical detethering. Data were collected on patient demographics, presenting symptoms, surgical details, and post-operative outcomes. The primary outcomes were neurological improvement and functional independence. Secondary outcomes included complication rates and quality of life, assessed over a 2–5-year follow-up period. Results: Pediatric patients had significantly better neurological recovery (improvement in 70% vs. 45% of adults, P=0.014) and fewer complications (15% vs. 32%, P=0.045) compared to adults. Pediatric patients had lower re-tethering rates (10% vs. 18%, P=0.132) and higher functional independence (Glasgow outcome scale ≥4: 90% vs. 60%, P<0.001). Quality of life scores were significantly higher in pediatric patients (SF-36 score: 85.2±10.6 vs. 72.3±12.8, P=0.021). Conclusion: Pediatric patients exhibit better surgical outcomes, including higher rates of neurological improvement and fewer complications. Early diagnosis and timely surgical intervention are critical for optimizing outcomes, especially in pediatric patients.https://ajmsjournal.info/index.php/AJMS/article/view/4427tethered cord syndrome; pediatric; adult; neurological recovery; surgical outcomes; detethering; post-operative complications; quality of life
spellingShingle Dinesh Shukla
Hari Prakash Rai
Shivam Sharma
Surgical outcomes of tethered cord syndrome in adults versus pediatric patients: A comparative study
Asian Journal of Medical Sciences
tethered cord syndrome; pediatric; adult; neurological recovery; surgical outcomes; detethering; post-operative complications; quality of life
title Surgical outcomes of tethered cord syndrome in adults versus pediatric patients: A comparative study
title_full Surgical outcomes of tethered cord syndrome in adults versus pediatric patients: A comparative study
title_fullStr Surgical outcomes of tethered cord syndrome in adults versus pediatric patients: A comparative study
title_full_unstemmed Surgical outcomes of tethered cord syndrome in adults versus pediatric patients: A comparative study
title_short Surgical outcomes of tethered cord syndrome in adults versus pediatric patients: A comparative study
title_sort surgical outcomes of tethered cord syndrome in adults versus pediatric patients a comparative study
topic tethered cord syndrome; pediatric; adult; neurological recovery; surgical outcomes; detethering; post-operative complications; quality of life
url https://ajmsjournal.info/index.php/AJMS/article/view/4427
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AT hariprakashrai surgicaloutcomesoftetheredcordsyndromeinadultsversuspediatricpatientsacomparativestudy
AT shivamsharma surgicaloutcomesoftetheredcordsyndromeinadultsversuspediatricpatientsacomparativestudy