Enhanced Recovery After Surgery for Anterior Cervcial Spine Surgeries in Elderly Patients

Cervical spine surgeries have been increasing for many years. In Taiwan, according to the data published by the Department of Statistics, Ministry of the Interior, the elderly population (≥ 65 years old) increased and comprised 14.4% of the whole population in March, 2018. The percentages is likely to rise to 20% after 8 years. Because cervical spine surgery is a procedure commonly performed in elderly patients, the increasing trend of cervical spine surgery will likely continue. Elderly patients experienced an increased odds of length of stay ≥ 5 days, pulmonary complications, cardiac compilations, venous thromboembolism, UTI, sepsis, and unplanned readmission after anterior cervical spine surgeries according to the literature. For example, in patients ≥ 65 years old undergoing cervical spine surgery, 9.80% patients experienced at least 1 complication or death. Patients of 70~74 years old (odds ratio [OR] =1.94, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.03~3.65) and patients with at least 1 postoperative complication (OR 9.59, 95% CI 5.17~17.80) had increased risks of unplanned readmissions. Patients ≥ 75 years old were at higher risk of developing a complication or death with an odds ratio (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.13~2.61). Identification of factors and change the policy of standard care in elderly patients can improve surgical outcome. The elderly have a different physiological change, such as lower elimination of the anesthetics, resulting in the confusion or delaying of detecting complications after the surgery.

Airway complications after ACCS are not uncommon. This includes sorethroat, vocal cord paresis without overt symptoms, vocal cord palsy or dysphonia, and dysphagia. The incidence of voice and swallowing complaints is primarily published in the spine literature and is inconsistent with rates ranging between 0.4% and 71%. The discrepancy may result from differences in the measurements and timepoints. We have performed a preliminary observational study investigating postoperative dysphonia and dysphagia after anterior cervical spine surgeries. We demonstrated more patients score none or mild dysphonia after surgeries in groups receiving sugammadex as a reversal of muscle relaxants. Suggammadex is a unique neuromuscular reversal drug; modified γ-cyclodextrin that allows binding encapsulation of rocuronium. The rocuronium molecule (a modified steroid) bound within sugammadex's lipophilic core, is rendered unavailable to bind to the acetylcholine receptor at the neuromuscular junction and results in the revesal of the effect of neuromuscular blackade. As the preliminary observation was not a randomized, blinded study, whether sugammadex posses beneficial effect on postoerative dysphonia warrants investigation.

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) proposes a multimodal, evidence-based approach to perioperative care. The first goal of ERAS is the improvement of surgical outcomes and patient experience, with a final impact on a reduction in the hospital length of stay (LOS). The implementation of ERAS in spinal surgery is in the early stages. We believe the elements for ERAS should direct to the specific characteristics of surgery and surgical population. Therefore, our investigation for improving posteropative dyshonia and dysphagia will provide a important reference for choice of elements for ERAS of cervical spine surgeries in the future.