Preoperative Steps to Spinal Surgery

A. Preoperative Evaluation: During the evaluation, facts about the patient’s health are investigated enabling medical staff to take proactive steps to reduce surgical risks. This evaluation includes an in-depth review of the patient’s medical history, findings from x-rays, CT scans, MRI studies and/or other diagnostic tests. The patient’s general health is reviewed during a physical and neurological examination. The preoperative evaluation identifies physical conditions that could cause surgical complications (e.g. cardiac or breathing difficulties). The patient may be referred to a medical specialist for consultation and clearance prior to surgery.

B. Medical History and Examination: A detailed medical history gathers information about allergies, side effects from medication, current medication taken daily, pre-existing medical conditions, family history, tobacco and alcohol use, bleeding history (e.g. unusual bruising), and previous surgical experiences (e.g. problems with anesthesia).

Any condition affecting the cardiovascular, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, endocrine, and nervous systems can cause surgical risks. Understanding these problems and addressing them before surgery can make the procedure safer.