Journal of Surgery

Importance of Monitoring Creatine-kinase in Spinal Surgery

Abstract

Mohamed El Husseini and Abbas El Husseini

Creatine-kinase (CK) is the most widely used enzyme to diagnose and follow muscle disease. This study confirms the validity of postoperative Creatine-kinase (CK) values as an indicator of muscle lesion, assess the relationship of CK with variables indicating surgical invasiveness and investigate an association between CK values and excessive postoperative pain. CK values were higher in men and in younger patients. Significant correlations were found between CK and the number of fused levels and duration of degenerative lumbar spine surgery.