Cervical spine disease and anaesthesia. Issue 6 (June 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Taylor, Christopher; Kumar, Robin
• Is Part Of: Anaesthesia and intensive care medicine. Volume 18:Issue 6(2017:Jun.)
• Page Start: 285
• Page End: 287
• Publication Date: 2017-06
• Subjects: Anaesthesia -- analgesia -- cervical spine disease -- difficult airway -- instability -- myelopathy -- radiculopathy -- spinal cord perfusion; Anesthesiology -- Periodicals; Critical care medicine -- Periodicals; Anesthesia -- Periodicals; Intensive care -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 617.9605
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mpaic.2017.04.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1472-0299

Abstract

Abstract: Surgery on the cervical spine is commonly performed to relieve compression of the spinal cord (myelopathy), a nerve root (radiculopathy) or to provide bony stabilization to prevent secondary neurological injury. The pathological causes of myelopathy and radiculopathy are a common consequence of osteoarthritis or less commonly due to disc herniation, tumours, trauma, infection and multisystem disease, and in some conditions as a result of their associated pathologically or surgically induced instability. Successful anaesthetic management should involve a meticulous preoperative assessment of the patient's airway, a systemic review especially in patients with comorbidities and multisystem disease, and attention to their medication and analgesic requirements. Preoperative discussion with the surgical team allows planning of airway management, patient positioning, cardiovascular support (in cases with the potential for significant blood loss), the availability of appropriate blood products and monitoring, postoperative pain management and ward destination.