title: Perioperative challenges in the surgical management of ankylosing spondylitis.
abstract: Patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) who present with spinal lesions are at an increased risk for developing perioperative complications. Due to the rigid yet brittle nature of the ankylosed spines commonly occurring with severe spinal deformity, patients are more prone to developing neurological deficits. Such risks are potentially increased not only during surgical manipulation or deformity correction, but also during image acquisition, positioning within the operating room, and intubation. In this review the complications of AS are reviewed, and recommendations are provided to avoid problems during each stage of patient management.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. dsciubb1@jhmi.edu
authors.forename: Daniel M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Sciubba
authors.forename: Clarke
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hsieh
authors.forename: Ziya L
authors.initials: ZL
authors.lastname: Gokaslan
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ondra
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bydon
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011187:Posture; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000009:adverse effects; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*