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T
he nature
of spine
surgery
makes
the risk
of wrong-site errors
greater than in any
other surgical disci-
pline. Similar-looking
vertebrae, patient
obesity, anatomic
abnormalities and
visualization limita-
tions all play a role in surgeons mistaking which area of the spine
they intended to work on. Thankfully, there are several solutions
available – some expensive, some virtually free of cost – that can
help surgeons properly identify the level of the spine that needs to
be repaired or replaced.
1. Count correctly
Most vertebrae anatomy looks the same, so the only way to know
you're at the correct spot is to find an anatomical landmark that looks
different from the rest of the spine, and count vertebrae until you
reach the disc that needs treatment. When surgeons operate in the
lumbar region, for example, they generally find the sacrum and count
up to the spinal level they want to work on. When dealing with the
cervical spine, they count down from the C2 vertebrae. The thoracic
Sheeraz Qureshi, MD, MBA | New York City
How to Prevent Wrong-Site Spine Surgery
Imaging enhancements and culture changes in the OR
will ensure these errors truly are never events.
GOOD COUNT Sheeraz Qureshi, MD, MBA (left), counts the discs from the sacrum or
the C2 vertebrae to avoid a wrong-site surgery.
Hospital
for
Special
Surgery
