Spondylodesis

This brochure helps you better understand the process of your spondylodesis surgery. It provides information on preparation and follow-up. It complements the information given by your surgeon. During your hospital stay, you will benefit from an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) pathway that meets the highest medical standards, with the steps described below. If you have any questions after reading this booklet, the medical and nursing team is available to answer them.

What is ERAS ?

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery includes a set of measures before, during, and after the operation aimed at ensuring better recovery. Your role in this care process is essential. Your participation begins with the first medical consultations before the operation and continues afterward, even beyond your hospital stay. You become an active participant in your care throughout this period by being directly involved in the early recovery process.

What are the benefits of ERAS ?

In most cases, the benefits of this approach include :

• Minimally invasive surgery
• Reduced complications
• Better pain management
• Faster return to normal mobility
• Early resumption of normal eating
• Improved healing
• Personalized follow-up
• Early hospital discharge
• Early resumption of daily activities

How is your surgery planned ?

Three preoperative consultations are scheduled over one to two weeks.

Consultation with the neurosurgery resident

The goal is to confirm the indication for surgery and ensure there are no temporary contraindications (new treatment, new illness such as fever or infection). The resident answers all your questions and reviews the risks and benefits of the procedure. At the end of the interview, you sign the consent form for the surgery.

Consultation with a nurse

This consultation lasts about 45 minutes. Its purpose is to explain the steps of your care and assess your needs together.

Consultation with the anesthesiologist

This appointment allows the doctor to plan the anesthesia and give you the necessary recommendations. You will also receive information about pain management during the postoperative period. If you have other medical issues, additional tests or consultations may be requested.

Can your surgery be rescheduled ?

If you become ill, experience a general decline in health, or show any symptoms (fever, cold, etc.), it is better to postpone the surgery until you feel better. Please contact the secretariat (+41 22 372 82 01) or the 3CL-ODS-SDS service at +41 22 372 82 28 (6 a.m. to 7 p.m.).

As HUG is a university hospital for acute care, a more urgent surgery may lead to your planned procedure being postponed. If this happens, a new date will be provided.