Cervical Spine: Minimally Invasive and Open Surgery

Anesthesia in cervical spine surgery (CSS) is peculiar and sometimes challenging. Injuries from CSS could be severe and often permanent and disabling. Complications are more frequent in patients with comorbidities such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and pulmonary diseases. The surgical field is near the airway and the patient’s mouth and the endotracheal tube (ETT) could be not easily accessible. Postoperative edema and/or hematoma could lead to deviation and compression of larynx, trachea or medulla. The patient positioning should be done by expert anesthesiologists in order to avoid eyes, peripheral nerves and skin injuries.