Complex spine and brain surgeries are planned procedures that are difficult to perform and require highly-specialized skills to be successful. They are also high-risk surgeries requiring longer recovery due to the number of procedures involved. However, complex spine and brain surgery are only recommended in patients with severe neurological and spinal conditions. If you have been diagnosed with a neurological deformity, consult a complex spine & complex brain neurosurgeon Marina Del Rey to help restore your mobility and stability. They will also help you prepare yourself mentally, physically, and emotionally before and after surgery. Below are five important factors your neurosurgeon examines before recommending a complex spine and brain surgery.
- Bone and Body Health
Before a complex spine and brain surgery, your neurosurgeon examines your bone and body health. These two factors are key in determining the success rate of your surgery. If you are ailing from certain health conditions such as hypertension or heart disease, your neurosurgeon might advise against surgery.
Also, if you often use nicotine, have a poor bone mass, or ailing from osteoporosis, you might not be an eligible candidate for complex spine surgery. These factors can prevent fusion and lead to other health complications after surgery.
- Blood Sugar Levels
Before surgery, your neurosurgeon might recommend an AIC test to determine your blood sugar levels. This test measures your average blood sugar levels in percentage form. For a successful complex spine and brain surgery, our AIC should be below 8.
If higher, your doctor might refer you to an endocrinologist to help you reach the recommendable blood sugar level. This process might take several weeks or months to optimize your Body for surgery. If you undergo surgery while your blood sugar levels are higher, you might be at a higher risk of developing an infection afterward.
- Bone Density
A bone density test is necessary before a complex spine and brain surgery. According to an X-ray imaging scan, your neurosurgeon might recommend this test, especially if you are older or have weak bones. Your bone density should be healthy to allow your bones to fuse naturally after surgery. If you have a lower bone density of -1 or -2.5, your surgeon might prescribe vitamin D and calcium supplements to raise it to the normal range.
- Body Weight & Nutritional Status
Having a healthy weight is critical for successful spine and brain surgery. Being overweight can increase your risk of developing serious health complications such as diabetes and heart disease. It can also make surgery riskier and slow the healing process. If your Body mass index (BMI) is above 40, your surgeon might advise against surgery and recommend various nutritional methods to help lower it.
- Fitness and Frailty
Fitness is key in determining the rate of your recovery process. However, having a frail body can slow the healing process after surgery. Certain factors can cause frailty in patients, such as obesity, depression, bladder incontinence, low grip strength, and unintentional weight loss. If your surgeon diagnoses you with any of these conditions, they might refer you to a specialist to get them well-managed before surgery.
A complex spine and brain surgery can effectively relieve symptoms and pain caused by neurological conditions. Due to the complexity of this procedure, your surgeon will need to conduct a thorough medical examination to determine whether you are an eligible candidate. If you are not in good health or have a frail body, they might recommend other conservative treatment care to relieve your symptoms.
