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Current Anesthesiology Reports
Published in: Current Anesthesiology Reports 3/2016

01-09-2016 | Neuroanesthesia (M Smith, Section Editor)

Minimizing Complications in Major Spine Surgery: The Role of the Anesthesiologist

Authors: Koffi M. Kla, Lorri A. Lee

Published in: Current Anesthesiology Reports | Issue 3/2016

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Abstract

Purpose of review

The complexity of spine surgery has increased dramatically over the last two decades. This review highlights the impact the anesthesiologist can have on minimizing complications in these challenging procedures, often performed on patients with multiple comorbidities.

Recent findings

Recent findings include the increased use of antifibrinolytics for major spine surgery to decrease blood loss; prehabilitation to improve patients’ fitness for surgery and speed recovery; and the use of more multimodal nonopioid analgesics so that patients suffer fewer opioid-related side effects and decrease the potential for long-term opioid dependency. Additionally, a recent multicenter case–control study identified both potentially modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors associated with ischemic optic neuropathy and spinal fusion surgery.

Summary

Patients undergoing major spine surgery should be treated by a multidisciplinary team throughout the perioperative period. Recent advances in pre-, intra-, and postoperative management, where the anesthesiologist plays a major role, can help minimize complications.
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Metadata
Title
Minimizing Complications in Major Spine Surgery: The Role of the Anesthesiologist
Authors
Koffi M. Kla
Lorri A. Lee
Publication date
01-09-2016
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Current Anesthesiology Reports / Issue 3/2016
Electronic ISSN: 2167-6275
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40140-016-0168-3

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