A 52-year-old, ASA class II patient was scheduled for anterior cervical discectomy and fusion at the C3 - C4 level. During the surgery when the surgeon was placing retractors the patient developed an instant onset of asystole. This case review will discuss potential reasons for asystole during cervical spinal surgery, as well as anatomical considerations when confronted with asystole during surgical dissection and retraction. Many complications resulting from asystole have poor prognosis. This case study will review what was done in a timely manner to recognize and treat this life-threatening event.
Keywords: Anesthesiology; asystole; cervical spine; vagal nerve stimulation.
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