How to Confirm the Surgical Level in Spine Surgery: The Study Using a Questionnaire in JSSR

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the occurrence of wrong site spine surgery (WSSS) using a website questionnaire for the members of the Japanese Society for Spine Surgery and Related Research. Based on this study, we would like to discuss the possible preventive measures for WSSS. As a result, 80% of the respondents answered that they had experienced WSSS. The causes of WSSS were divided into the surgeon's and patient's oriented factors. Several preventive measures are considered, as follows.1) To confirm the surgical level by multiple surgeons, 2) to avoid hierarchical environment, 3) to put a marker at the spinous process and take X-ray, 4) to use fluoroscopy in cases with unclear X-ray, and 5) additionally, to check the spinal level before the patient is awakened from general anesthesia.