Best practice & research. Clinical anaesthesiology
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Best Pract Res Clin Anaesthesiol · Mar 2016
ReviewNeurophysiological monitoring and spinal cord integrity.
An integral part of a major spine surgery is the intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM). By providing continuous functional assessment of specific anatomic structures, IONM allows the rapid detection of neuronal compromise and the opportunity for corrective action before an insult causes permanent neurological damage. Thus, IONM functions not just as a diagnostic tool but may also improve surgical outcomes. ⋯ In this study, we review specific monitoring modalities, focusing on the relevant anatomy, physiology, and mechanisms of neuronal injury during major spine surgery. We discuss how these factors interact with anesthetic and surgical management. This review concludes with the current controversies surrounding the evidence in support of IONM and directions of future research.
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Best Pract Res Clin Anaesthesiol · Mar 2016
ReviewEnhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) and its applicability for major spine surgery.
This article examines the relevance of applying the Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS) approach to patients undergoing major spinal surgery. The history of ERAS, details of the components of the approach and the underlying rationale are explained. Evidence on outcomes achieved by using the ERAS approach in other orthopaedic and complex surgical procedures is then outlined. ⋯ A thorough literature search is then undertaken to examine the use of ERAS pathways in major spinal surgery, and the results are presented. The article then reviews the evidence to support the application of individual ERAS components such as patient education, multimodal pain management, surgical approach, blood loss, nutrition and physiotherapy in major spinal surgery, and discusses the need for further robust research to be undertaken. The article concludes that given the rising costs of surgery and levels of patient dissatisfaction, an ERAS pathway that focuses on optimising clinical procedures by adopting evidence-based practice and improving logistics should enable major spinal surgery patients to recover more quickly with lower rates of morbidity and improved longer-term outcomes.
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Cervical spine surgery is one of the most commonly performed spine surgeries in the United States, and 90% of the cases are related to degenerative cervical spine disease (the rest to cervical spine trauma and/or instability). The airway management for cervical spine surgery represents a crucial step in the anesthetic management to avoid injury to the cervical cord. ⋯ Therefore, the conventional direct laryngoscopy (DL) can be unsuitable for securing the upper airway in cervical spine surgery, especially in cases of cervical spine instability and myelopathy. This review discusses the most recent evidence-based facts of the main advantages and limitations of different techniques available for upper airway management for cervical spine surgery.
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Best Pract Res Clin Anaesthesiol · Mar 2016
ReviewPerioperative blood conservation strategies for major spine surgery.
Orthopedic surgery, especially spine and spinal deformity surgery, may be associated with high perioperative blood loss. In order to reduce the risk of excessive blood loss and unnecessary blood transfusions, strategies such as Patient Blood Management including goal-directed coagulation management have been developed. ⋯ Blood conservation in spinal surgery is a multidisciplinary approach and the efficacy of most single measures has been shown. Cost-effectiveness and the benefits of long-term patient outcomes are the subjects of current and future research.
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Best Pract Res Clin Anaesthesiol · Dec 2015
ReviewVentilation and gas exchange management after cardiac arrest.
For several decades, physicians had integrated several interventions aiming to improve the outcomes in post-cardiac arrest patients. However, the mortality rate after cardiac arrest is still as high as 50%. Post-cardiac arrest syndrome is associated with high morbidity and mortality due to not only poor neurological outcome and cardiovascular failure but also respiratory dysfunction. ⋯ Furthermore, optimizing gas exchange by avoiding hypoxia and hyperoxia as well as maintaining normocarbia may improve neurological and survival outcome. Early multidisciplinary cardiac rehabilitation intervention is recommended. Minimally invasive monitoring techniques, that is, echocardiography, transpulmonary thermodilution method measuring extravascular lung water, as well as transcranial Doppler ultrasound, might be useful to improve appropriate management of post-cardiac arrest patients.