The Fascinating World of a Neurosurgeon
INDICATIONS: This is a patient with severe degenerative lumbar spine disease. My plan is for anterior retroperitoneal exposure of the L3-4 and L4-L5 disk spaces. The patient has had a previous abdominal surgery from gastric bypass and complications related to that. She also appears to have had an abdominoplasty. She does have a significant lower abdominal pannus. I have discussed the procedure including potential risks and benefits in detail with the patient. PROCEDURE: The patient was placed on the operating table in supine position. A general endotracheal anesthetic was administered. The patient received 2 grams of Ancef for antibiotic. Sequential compression devices were placed on the calves for DVT prophylaxis. A Foley catheter was placed. The abdominal wall was scrubbed with chlorhexidine wipes. The abdominal wall was then prepped and draped in the usual sterile manner. The skin was covered in its entirety with Ioban sheeting. Prior to prepping, I had marked the location of t...