Abstract: Objective To explore the effects of hyperbaric oxygen on cervical spinal cord injury. Methods 48 postoperative patients with cervical spinal cord injury received hyperbaric oxygen therapy in addition to conventional treatment. Neural function was accessed with International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury (American Spinal Injury Association, ASIA) before and after hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Results After hyperbaric oxygen therapy, the total efficiency of patients with course ≤ 30 d was higher than that of patients with course >30 d (P<0.05). The total efficiency of patients accepted more than 3 courses of treatments was higher than that of patients accepted less than 2 courses of treatments (P<0.05). Conclusion Patients with cervical spinal cord injury should receive hyperbaric oxygen therapy for more than 3 courses as soon as possible after surgery.

Key words: hyperbaric oxygen, cervical spinal cord injury, course