Perioperative Period

The perioperative period surrounding image-guided spine interventions is rife with potential risks and dangers. It is critical for interventionalists, sedation providers, and anesthesiologists to be aware of these risks for proper mitigation and care. This chapter will review both general goals of perioperative care and those specific to the patient populations expected with these procedures. The preoperative evaluation will address common and relevant comorbidities with a focus on factors that may require intervention prior to the procedure. The intraoperative discussion will highlight the decision between levels of care including conscious sedation, monitored anesthesia care, and general anesthesia. Finally, postoperative morbidity and common causes for delayed recovery and discharge will be addressed.