Cervical Stenosis

Cervical canal stenosis (CCS) is a condition characterized by the narrowing of the spinal canal in the cervical spine, leading to compression of the spinal cord and nerve roots. This can result in a variety of neurological deficits, including myelopathy, radiculopathy, and motor dysfunction. The primary goal of treatment is to relieve neural compression and improve or preserve neurological function. Surgical decompression, such as laminoplasty, is a common procedure to treat this condition, as it decompresses the spinal canal to relieve pressure on the spinal cord. Laminectomy with lateral mass fixation is another option of management.

Opioid overdose suppresses brainstem respiratory circuits, causes apnea, and may result in death. Epidural electrical stimulation (EES) at the cervical spinal cord facilitated motor activity in rodents and humans, and we hypothesized that EES of the cervical spinal cord could antagonize opioid-induced respiratory depression in humans. In this study, we will stimulate the spinal cord during surgery and assess its effects on respiratory function in human patients.