Copyright
©2014 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Orthop. Sep 18, 2014; 5(4): 425-443
Published online Sep 18, 2014. doi: 10.5312/wjo.v5.i4.425
Published online Sep 18, 2014. doi: 10.5312/wjo.v5.i4.425
Positioning patients for spine surgery: Avoiding uncommon position-related complications
Ihab Kamel, Rodger Barnette, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19140, United States
Author contributions: Kamel I and Barnette R solely contributed to this paper.
Correspondence to: Ihab Kamel, MD, Associate Professor of Anesthesiology, Temple University School of Medicine, 3401 N. Broad Street, 3rd floor outpatient building (Zone-B), Philadelphia, PA 19140, United States. ihab.kamel@tuhs.temple.edu
Telephone: +1-215-7073326 Fax: +1-215-7078028
Received: December 27, 2013
Revised: May 8, 2014
Accepted: June 10, 2014
Published online: September 18, 2014
Revised: May 8, 2014
Accepted: June 10, 2014
Published online: September 18, 2014
Core Tip
Core tip: Perioperative peripheral nerve injury (PPNI) and postoperative visual loss (POVL) are rare complications related to patient positioning during spine surgery. It is important for spine surgeons to be aware of PPNI and POVL to participate in safe, collaborative perioperative care of spine patients. Proper education of perioperative staff, combined with clear communication and collaboration while positioning patients in the operating room is the best and safest approach. The prevention of uncommon complications of spine surgery depends primarily on identifying high-risk patients, proper positioning and optimal intraoperative management of physiological parameters.