Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
Mini Review Article
Timing of Lumbar ESIs: Do Pre-operative Epidural Injections Effect Lumbar Spine Surgery Outcomes
Author(s): Kelly H Yoo, Sina Sadeghzadeh, Aaryan Shah and Anand Veeravagu*
The management of lumbar spine disorders often require a multimodal approach,
with surgery considered for those unresponsive to conservative treatments.
Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injections (ESIs) are widely adopted for symptom
alleviation and functional enhancement. While preoperative lumbar ESIs are
proposed to enhance surgical outcomes, recent studies express concerns about
complications, particularly an elevated risk of Postoperative Infections (POIs) due
to corticosteroids.
The intricate link between preoperative lumbar ESIs and surgical outcomes has
been extensively explored. Retrospective analyses indicate a noticeable reduction
in preoperative pain scores post-ESIs, suggesting potential synergy with surgical
outcomes. The anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of ESIs may positively
impact the perioperative period, though apprehensions .. View More»