Significance of intraoperative ultrasonography in anterior spinal operation

Intraoperative spinal ultrasonography (IOSU) was performed during anterior spinal operations in 124 patients. The IOSU proved very useful in ascertaining whether the bone-removing width was sufficient for the spinal transverse diameter. It was also possible to check intraoperatively for unremoved material that was still compressing the cord (in particular, posterior lateral osteophytes and hernial prolapse). When the insufficient width of bone removal or remaining compression factor was found, an additional technique could be performed immediately, and the IOSU was helpful for prevention of cervical reoperation and improvement of surgical results. The degree of spinal pulsations observed in IOSU was of great value in the prediction of the prognosis for spinal cord postoperatively.