The arteries, arterioles, and capillaries of the spinal cord. Surgical guidelines in the prevention of postoperative paraplegia.

The principles or constant features of the blood supply of the spinal cord are described and illustrated. The variable features of individual patterns of supply are outlined and their practical significance is stressed. Surgical guidelines based on the constant and variable features of the macro- and microcirculation are presented, which if carefully observed are helpful in avoiding the dread complication of postoperative paraplegia.