Theme: Spinal Fusion

Spinal Fusion Surgery: The peri-op workup and health assessment

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Spinal Fusion Surgery: The peri-op workup and health assessment

Jay Berry, MD, General pediatrician, Complex Care Service, Boston Children’s Hospital: Every child under consideration for surgery should have a comprehensive health assessment. The findings may indicate the need for more time or interventions before surgery. How healthy is the child? What is their health trajectory likely to be? What risks or health issues should be addressed ahead of surgery to optimize the health of the child? How controlled are the chronic health conditions; how severe are they are; how could they affect anesthesia? What medications are they on and how will they be delivered post-op? IV? What technologies are they dependent on and how will that work during and in post-op? Are the child’s nutrition and hydration levels good for surgery and post-op? What is child’s bone health?