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Postoperative Care Following Outpatient Spine Surgery

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Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

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Abstract

The success of outpatient spine surgery (OPSS) relies on a team-spirited patient-centric approach, and informed cooperation has to take place between the patient, the surgeon, the extended healthcare team, and the surgical facility (ambulatory surgery center (ASC) or SPD) throughout the process. As the time spent under direct observation is considerably shorter in the outpatient setting, the postoperative care plan needs to be well documented and clearly communicated to the patient and their respective caregiver. In general, the establishment and further refinement of postoperative management should be broken into phases: early facility phase of 2–24 hours, a variable immediate post-discharge home phase, and a standard subacute phase similar to that after inpatient surgery. All three phases depend upon factors such as patient selection, preoperative counseling and expectation management, pre- and postsurgical analgesia, rehabilitation protocols, and patient education. With its implementation, surgeons must be aware of the various unique aspects of OPSS that can at times increase the surgical risk profile relative to inpatient surgery. The success of the outpatient track and its philosophy depend on quality patient education regarding the risks and benefits. This demands considerable coaching and management of patient and family expectations, the development of a well-prepared home support structure, and an appropriate proactive “participator” state of mind among all. The vulnerability and possible helpless attitude associated with surgery in general are potentially amplified at the suggestion of outpatient surgery and can be mitigated by a well-supported and well-educated team approach by all involved.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedics, Miracle Mile Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Troy I. Mounts & Gil Tepper

Authors
  1. Troy I. Mounts
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  2. Gil Tepper
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA

    Frank M. Phillips

  2. Texas Back Institute Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano Scoliosis and Spine Tumor Center, Plano, TX, USA

    Isador H. Lieberman

  3. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA

    David W. Polly Jr.

  4. Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, FL, USA

    Michael Y. Wang

Appendices

Quiz Questions

  1. 1.

    The following are patient-related factors to consider in choosing an OPSS approach.

    1. (a)

      General health

    2. (b)

      BMI >30

    3. (c)

      Patient coach-ability

    4. (d)

      Patient motivation

    5. (e)

      All of the above

  2. 2.

    The following are surgeon-related factors in choosing an OPSS approach.

    1. (a)

      Philosophy

    2. (b)

      Training

    3. (c)

      Surgical approach

    4. (d)

      Technique

    5. (e)

      All of the above

  3. 3.

    The following are facility-related factors in choosing an OPSS approach.

    1. (a)

      Allied health personnel trained in and supportive of the outpatient objectives

    2. (b)

      Safety factors (blood bank)

    3. (c)

      Free standing versus OPD

    4. (d)

      Hospital transfer agreement

    5. (e)

      Distance from home

    6. (f)

      All of the above

  4. 4.

    True or false: The discharge plan is best initiated at the ASC.

Answers

  1. 1.

    e

  2. 2.

    e

  3. 3.

    f

  4. 4.

    False

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Mounts, T.I., Tepper, G. (2019). Postoperative Care Following Outpatient Spine Surgery. In: Phillips, F., Lieberman, I., Polly Jr., D., Wang, M. (eds) Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-19007-1_50

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-19007-1_50

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-19006-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-19007-1

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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