Despite the increased use of anterior spinal surgery, there has been little documentation of the specific types and frequencies of the complications associated with its use.
To document the incidence and specific types of perspective complications related to anterior spinal fusions.
Study Design: A retrospective review of 1223 thoracic and lumbar anterior spinal fusions was performed from 1969 through 1992.
All Minnesota Spine Center patients age 18 years or older who had anterior spinal fusions between the levels of T1 and S1 from August 1969 to June 1992 were reviewed for the occurrence of perioperative complications. Surgical approach and technique and associated comorbidity was recorded.
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.
Copyright remains with the authors and publisher.
Despite the increased use of anterior spinal surgery, there has been little documentation of the specific types and frequencies of the complications associated with its use.
To document the incidence and specific types of perspective complications related to anterior spinal fusions.
Study Design: A retrospective review of 1223 thoracic and lumbar anterior spinal fusions was performed from 1969 through 1992.
All Minnesota Spine Center patients age 18 years or older who had anterior spinal fusions between the levels of T1 and S1 from August 1969 to June 1992 were reviewed for the occurrence of perioperative complications. Surgical approach and technique and associated comorbidity was recorded.
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.
Copyright remains with the authors and publisher.