Should major spine surgery patients be extubated in the operating room?

Abstract

A 72-year-old woman, who is still working and enjoys physical activity, has thoracolumbar kyphoscoliosis related to degenerative spine disease. She has a history of hypertension, well controlled with a diuretic. Her quality of life has deteriorated because of back pain and posture changes, and she desires correction. She takes acetaminophen, 325 mg/oxycodone, 10 mg, every 4-6 h for back pain. In the past, she had a 2-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion and a hysterectomy. She is scheduled for an 8-level spinal decompression, fusion, and instrumentation with a 2-level pedicle osteotomy.