[Use of dexamethasone in the treatment of spinal cord injuries in the early post-traumatic period].

The clinical usefulness of dexamethasone administered early after injury to the spinal cord is assessed comparing the results of treatment in 269 cases receiving dexamethasone and in 256 controls not receiving corticosteroids. In cases of complete as well as incomplete severing of the cord treated with dexamethasone, the results were better, both qualitatively and quantitatively. However, some increase was noted in the incidence of complications, such as gastrointestinal bleeding and delayed wound healing. Good results demonstrated in this analysis suggest the necessity of widespread administration of corticosteroids within the first hours after cord injury.