Serum magnesium, copper, and zinc alterations following spinal fusion

Changes in serum magnesium, copper and zinc values were evaluated in spinal fusion patients at four monitorings. For magnesium and copper individually , a significant difference was found between the mean values at each monito ring (p < 0.05), whereas the changes of zinc values between four monitoring s were insignificant. There was no statistical difference between the chang es of each trace element values and gender, age, operative time, intraopera tive blood loss, blood replacement, number of the vertebral levels fused, a nd antibiotic type used. As a result, magnesium can be suggested to be more important than the other two elements in the postoperative period. Alterations of serum magnesium, copper, and zinc values do not have any correlation with the fusion of the spinal column, either with the width of the fused area or operative time an d blood loss. This study cannot confirm the exact reason for this entity an d the etiology remains speculative. There is no need for magnesium, copper, or zinc supplementation during the surgical period for the patients. It wi ll be worthy to evaluate the patients who were sent to the intensive care u nit after spinal surgery and compare their results with the other intensive care patients.