Anaesthetic and intensive care aspects of spinal injury

Over the last few years, spinal injuries have been classified depending upon their causative mechanism and on the basis of three column concept of the structure of vertebral column. The concept of primary and secondary injury has laid more stress on prevention and treatment of secondary injury. Methyl prednisolone still remains the drug of choice for prevention of secondary injury. Spinal injury involves all organ systems of the body depending on the level of lesion. Immobilisation of injured spine and maintenance of adequate airway after spinal injury need immediate attention. Orotracheal intubation under general anaesthesia, with manual in-line traction, is still considered the best method. Hypotension, hypertension and hyperglycaemia should be avoided during anaesthesia. Care should be taken to avoid effects of autonomic hyper reflexia. Spinal cord functions should be monitored and, if required, induced hypotension can be used with adequate monitoring.