<unk>  is a high risk surgery and complications can be serious, including death. In general, there is a higher risk of complications in older people with elevated body mass index (BMI), other medical problems, poor nutrition and nerve symptoms (numbness, weakness, bowel/bladder issues) before surgery. Complications also depend on the type/extent of<unk>  surgery performed. There are three main time periods where complications typically occur: During surgery * Patient positioning on operating table * Blood loss * Damage to nerves and surrounding structures during procedure * Insertion of spinal hardware * Harvesting of bone graft (if autograft is used) Within a few days * Moderate to severe postoperative pain * Wound infections - risk factors include old age, obesity, diabetes, smoking, prior surgery * Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) * Pulmonary embolism (PE) * Urinary retention * Malnutrition * Neurologic deficit Weeks to years following surgery * Infection – sources of bacterial bioburden that infiltrate the wound site are several, but the latest research highlights repeated reprocessing of implants before surgery and exposure of implants (such as pedicle screws) to bacterial contaminants in the "sterile-field" during surgery as major risk factors. * Deformity – loss of height, alignment, and failure of fusion * Pseudarthrosis – nonunion between fused bone segments. Risk factors include tobacco use, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use, osteoporosis, revision procedures, decreased immune system. * Adjacent segment disease – degeneration of vertebrae above/below the fused segments due to increased stress and motion. * Epidural fibrosis – scarring of the tissue that surrounds the spinal cord * Arachnoiditis – inflammation of the thin membrane surrounding the spinal cord, usually caused by infection or contrast dye.
Spinal fusion
Interbody fusion cage
Vertebral fixation
Spinal adjustment
Scalp reconstruction
Rib removal
Distraction osteogenesis
Intervertebral disc annuloplasty