ICU care for the spine patient

Spine patients in the intensive care unit generally include those who require close postoperative monitoring after elective spine surgery and patients who have acute spinal cord injuries. These patients have unique considerations that must be evaluated based on their admission diagnosis, planned clinical course, and development of unexpected complications. It is important for providers to be familiar with the management principles for patients following spine surgery given the potential for morbidity and mortality. This chapter will discuss the critical care services that are provided to spine patients using a comprehensive, system-based approach.