Sedation for Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy.

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Anesthesiology

Background:

• Literature on minimally invasive neurosurgery primarily focuses on cranial procedures.
• Minimally invasive spinal surgery in the prone position has been performed for over 30 years.
• Prone positioning in spinal surgery may increase airway management challenges due to deep sedation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the literature on anesthetic requirements for minimally invasive spinal surgery.
• To discuss anesthetic necessities for percutaneous endoscopic laser surgery.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of anesthetic management in minimally invasive spinal surgery.
• Discussion of anesthetic considerations for prone positioning and deep sedation.

Main Results:

• Anesthetic requirements for minimally invasive spinal surgery differ from cranial procedures, especially regarding patient positioning and airway management.
• Deep sedation is often necessary, increasing the complexity of airway management.
• Lack of standardized terminology for minimally invasive spinal techniques complicates anesthetic planning.

Conclusions:

• Anesthetists require a thorough understanding of surgical and anesthetic needs for each minimally invasive spinal intervention.
• Specific attention to airway management is crucial for patients undergoing prone minimally invasive spinal surgery.
• Further research and standardization of terminology are needed to optimize anesthetic care.