The surgical and medical perioperative complications of anterior spinal fusion surgery in the thoracic and lumbar spine in adults: A review of 1223 procedures

Study Design. A retrospcetive review of 1223 thoracic and lumbar anterior spinal fusions was performed from 1969 through 1992, Objectives. To document the incidence and specifc types of perspective complication related to anterior spinal fusions. Summary of Background Data. Despite the increased use of.anterior spinal surgery, there has been little documentation of Ihe specific types end frequencies of the complications associated with its use. Methods All Minnesota Spine Canter patients age 18 years or older who had anterior spinal fusions between the levels of T1 and SI from August 1969 to June 1992 were reviewed for the occurrence of perioperative complications. Surgical approach end technique and associated comorbidity was r-ecorded. Results. The risk of complication was increased for patients over age 60 years, for women, and for patients with multiple preexisting health problems. Serious complications, such as death (0-3%), paraplegia [0-2%], and deep wound infection (0.6%) were rare, The complication rate for complications that were directly attributes to the anterior spinal surgery was 11.5%. Conclusions. Anterior spinal fusion surgery Is a safe procedure and can be used with confidence when the nature of a patient's spinal disorder dictates its use. Complications are often approach specific.