Cervical Spinal Cord, Root, and Bony Spine Injuries

• DOI: 10.1097/aln.0b013e3182104859
• Publication Date: 2011-02-16T10:33:53Z
• Authors: Bradley J. Hindman; John P. Palecek; Karen L. Posner; Vincent C. Traynelis; Lorri A. Lee; Paul D. Sawin; Trent L. Tredway; Michael M. Todd; Karen B. Domino
• Keywords: Sitting

The aim of this study was to characterize cervical cord, root, and bony spine claims in the American Society Anesthesiologists Closed Claims database formulate hypotheses regarding mechanisms injury.All general anesthesia (1970-2007) were searched identify injuries. Three independent teams, each consisting an anesthesiologist neurosurgeon, used a standardized review form extract data from claim summaries judge probable contributors injury.Cervical injury (n = 48; mean ± SD age 47 15 yr; 73% male) comprised less than 1% all claims. When compared with other (19%), more often permanent disabling (69%; P < 0.001). In addition, cord injuries 37) severe root and/or 10; 0.001), typically resulting quadriplegia. Although anatomic abnormalities (e.g., stenosis) present, usually occurred absence traumatic (81%) or instability (76%). Cord (65%) noncervical (35%) procedures. Twenty-four percent associated sitting position. Probable included (81%), direct surgical complications (24% [38%, procedures]), preprocedural symptomatic intraoperative head/neck position airway management (11%).Most injury, instability, difficulties. Cervical procedures appear predominate. spondylosis most common factor injury.