Spondylodesis belongs to the category of operating procedures, , which allows to completely immobilize one or more vertebrae of the .
This surgical procedure involves the process of combining two or more vertebrae.
This is very important in the case, for example, of increased mobility of the spine or other problems associated with the back.
It can be concluded that this surgical intervention is one of the most common in modern medicine - with it you can get rid of such serious problems as violations in the normal structure of the lumbar spine, and the operation of spondylodesis is often used when it is necessary to fix several vertebrae in the casesevere deformation of the spine.
Today, the technology of the intervention was significantly improved - if a few years ago it was one of the most serious surgical operations, today this surgical intervention is used with comparative ease.
Contents of the article
- Key indications for
- Steps of
- Postoperative period
- What complications can occur after the operation?
The main indications for
Spondylodesis is recommended in cases of spinal deformities and intense pain in the back area.
This surgery is performed in case of inefficiency of usual, conservative treatment.
The main indications for the conduct are such problems as:
- narrowing of the canal of the spinal cord;
- this operation in frequent cases is carried out at the moments of detection of a herniated intervertebral disc;
- any spinal injuries resulting from injuries or other deformities;
- indications for spondylodesis is scoliosis, which is a pathological change in the normal shape of the spine;
- also carrying out this surgical manipulation is carried out in the presence of a patient with a neglected form of osteochondrosis of the spine;
- in addition, an important indication for conduction of spondylodesis are various benign and malignant neoplasms in the spine.
In modern medicine, surgery is used as an independent surgical intervention, and can also act as an additional manipulation for other operations.
Megeloid spondylodesis of the
cage As of today, two types of surgical intervention are considered the most common and often used:
- Rear intercorporal spinal fusion of the lumbar spine, the essence of which is the complete removal of the intervertebral disc. Usually it is replaced with a special plate.
- The second common type of operation is the anterior lumbar intercorporal spondylodesis. The essence of this operation does not change significantly, the only difference is that surgical intervention is carried out from the front of the patient's body.
Stages of operation
The surgical intervention is usually preceded by the patient preparation process.
Preparatory stage
The patient may be assigned to the following in preparation for the operation:
- Full medical examination of , which will help to establish not only the presence of existing deformations in the spine, but also to establish concomitant chronic diseases that can have a significant impact on the operation.
- Before the surgical treatment of this type of , the patient is usually assigned to conduct an ordinary X-ray examination of , as well as an additional computed tomography, with which the treating specialist will be able to fully study the clinical picture of the disease.
- In some cases, patients are advised to undergo magnetic resonance imaging before performing an operation. This procedure is aimed at detecting minute deformations in the normal structure of the spine.
- Immediately before this surgery, the patient should stop taking almost any medication - this is recommended at least 7 days before the surgery. Even the most harmless analgin can cause a completely ambiguous reaction of the body during the spondylodease.
- Also, immediately after 7 hours before , the patient should refuse to eat and drink .
intervention process As mentioned above, the main purpose of this operation is to place a special block directly between several vertebrae.
The operation is performed by access from the front or from the back. Usually, the procedure of spondylodesis is performed under local anesthesia - this helps the patient to get rid of unpleasant pain during the operation.
The incision required for access to the spine is usually carried out in the neck or waist region. Then follows the process of accurate expansion of the muscles, after which the doctor puts the spinal plate directly.
Usually, the duration of the operation does not exceed the limit of 5-6 hours.
In the presence of serious chronic diseases or significant deformations of the spine, the time of the surgical procedure can be extended to the discretion of the treating specialist.
In the course of the operation, general anesthesia is most often prescribed, which guarantees that there is no discomfort for the patient.
Postoperative period
After a spondylodease, the patient, as a rule, should be held in a hospital under the supervision of a treating specialist for at least 3 days.
During the postoperative period, patients are prescribed a special course of painkillers that can reduce the onset of pain syndrome to a minimum.
This is due to the fact that such an operation can deliver a significant discomfort to the patient. In the most severe cases, patients may receive a course of special anesthetic injections, which are administered by intravenous route.
In the most common cases, complete recovery and healing of the spine can take up to 6 months, and in some situations - up to a year. 
For the convenience and fixation of the spine in the correct position, a special corset can be recommended. But the question of wearing such a corset is solved only by the treating specialist, based on the severity of the disease, possible complications.
Excellent results during the rehabilitation are provided by methods of physiotherapy and the implementation of special therapeutic exercises that promote a speedy recovery.
What difficulties can occur after the operation?
After each surgery, there is a risk of complications - and spondylodesis is no exception.
After its execution, complications such as:
- appearance of edema, redness and bruising at the site of the incision, which are accompanied by inflammation;
- in some cases, there may be intense internal bleeding;
- the risk of infection, which is characterized by the appearance of severe chills;
- incorrect or partial fusion of the connected fragments of the spine;
- allergic reaction to the applied anesthesia.
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There are a number of factors that can significantly increase the risk of getting complications.
The so-called "risk category" includes patients older than middle age, people who have certain concomitant chronic diseases.
In addition, the risk of complications increases in patients who have bad habits and - smoking, drinking strong alcoholic beverages or poor-quality food.
Serious complications after conduction of spondylodesis often occur in people with obesity.
In order to avoid possible complications, you should carefully follow all the recommendations of your doctor and consult with him about any problems during the rehabilitation period.
