Anesthetic considerations in the treatment of cervical myelopathy.
BACKGROUND
The safe surgical treatment of patients with severe cervical spondylotic myelopathy involves a team approach incorporating special anesthetic considerations. This patient population is more vulnerable to perioperative complications. Advanced age, prolonged periods of immobility, multiple medical co-morbidities, and the risk of worsening neurologic injury mandate that the anesthesiologist pay special attention in the preoperative, induction, surgical, and recovery phases.


OBJECTIVE
To review the literature regarding the anesthetic management of patients undergoing surgery for cervical spondylotic myelopathy.


CONCLUSIONS
A basic understanding of the pathophysiology of cervical myelopathy as well as the nuances of the surgical treatment plan can help to ensure safe and effective patient management.
Kim
K Anthony
KA
Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck-University of Southern California School of Medicine, 1200 N. State Street, Suite 5046, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.
Wang
Michael Y
MY
D000768:Anesthesia, General; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae; D019054:Evoked Potentials, Motor; D006801:Humans; D061224:Laryngeal Nerve Injuries; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects; D012008:Recurrence; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000098:blood supply; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*
D018696:Neuroprotective Agents