Describe the postoperative anesthetic concerns following scoliosis repair

Describe the postoperative anesthetic concerns follow-ing scoliosis repair.

In the majority of patients, the goal at the end of scolio-sis repair will be to awaken and extubate in the operating room. In some patients, extubation may be delayed and the factors leading to it can be the same as those associated with any general anesthesia case. Additionally, factors more specif-ically related to the patient with scoliosis include possible underlying pulmonary dysfunction, persistent muscle weakness, or issues related to any coexisting disease(s).

Postoperative anesthetic concerns focus on known complications following posterior spinal fusion surgery and these include bleeding, pneumothorax, atelectasis, respiratory distress, and neurologic deficit. Another area of concern in the postoperative anesthetic care is pain management. Pain control in the initial postoperative period can be treated by intravenous (IV) patient-controlled anal-gesia (PCA) with opioids. In young children or cognitively impaired patients, a continuous IV opioid infusion is suggested. Most patients are cared for in an intensive care unit following scoliosis repair.