Preparing the adult deformity patient for spinal surgery.
METHODS
Review article of preoperative evaluation of surgical patients as relates to adult spine patients.


OBJECTIVE
To determine which patients should undergo preoperative evaluation and review options for improved preoperative preparation for these patients.


BACKGROUND
There is increasing attention paid to preoperative preparation for surgical patients to decrease perioperative morbidity. Better preoperative evaluation may lead to decreased complication rates and may improve outcomes.


METHODS
The literature to date, including surgical, hospitalist, and critical care, was reviewed and combined with the authors' experience.


RESULTS
Suggestions for preoperative screening questions are summarized.


CONCLUSIONS
Better recognition of preoperative risk factors may help spine surgeons improve preoperative preparation in their patients, leading to decreased complication rates.
Hu
Serena S
SS
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143-0728, USA. hus@orthosurg.ucsf.edu
Berven
Sigurd H
SH
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D015984:Causality; D015897:Comorbidity / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000592:standards; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D018579:Patient Selection; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D013121:Spinal Curvatures / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*