A Detailed Clinical Course Leading to Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy After Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery: A Case Report

CASE A 48-year-old woman underwent anterior cervical discectomy and fusion at C5/6. Extubation was performed immediately after surgery. Tachycardia, limb tremor, and panic attack developed approximately 4 hours after surgery at 16:15. Thirty minutes later, cessation of respiration occurred at 16:50. An experienced anesthesiologist attempted intubation but was unsuccessful because of laryngopharyngeal edema at the C2 level. Finally, an otolaryngologist performed tracheotomy and secured the airway at 17:20 but hypoxic encephalopathy ensued. CONCLUSION Predicting the airway obstruction caused by laryngopharyngeal edema was very difficult; hence, to prevent critical complications, systematic perioperative management is essential in anterior cervical spine surgery.