A patient may develop delirium following spine surgery, especially if certain risk factors are present. Closer monitoring and more aggressive management may help to reduce this complication.
Risk factors for delirium in a patient following spine surgery:
(1) age > 70 years
(2) hearing impairment
(3) anemia or general debility
(4) high dose corticosteroid therapy
(5) immobility
Ushida et al found that reducing the dose of corticosteroids and early mobilization help to reduce the frequency of delirium in patients undergoing cervical spine surgery.
A history of delirium would be an additional risk factor.
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