Potential risks and complications of a spine fusion
surgery
The most common risk of any of the spine fusion surgery
techniques is the persistence of lower back pain symptoms
following the surgery. In the best of all situations,
this risk occurs in a minimum of 20% of spine fusion
surgeries. The likelihood of this result becomes even
more frequent with fusions of three or more levels.
There is also a risk that fusion may not occur, which
with modern techniques happens in approximately 5%
to 10% of spine fusion surgeries.
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It is well documented in the medical literature
that people who smoke have a lower rate of successful
spine fusion
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If pedicle screws are used, there is a risk that
the screws may break or become loose and may require
further surgery to remove or revise the screws and
rods.
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Anterior grafts and cages can migrate or subside,
which may require repeat spine surgery. If the anterior
devices were placed anteriorly, rather than through
a PLIF or TLIF, it is safest to do this revision
spine fusion surgery with a posterior approach.
All spine fusion surgeries have the potential for
complications. Thankfully, most of the complications
occur infrequently. The complications that can occur
include those that would be associated with any type
of surgery, such as infection, bleeding, and anesthetic
complications.
Another potential complication of spine fusion surgery
in the low back includes any type of nerve damage.
In a small percentage of men who have an anterior fusion,
an infrequent complication results in difficulties
with ejaculation following spine fusion surgery. There
is a small plexus of nerves in front of the L5-S1 disc
space that helps control ejaculation. If these nerves
are affected (which can happen 1% of the time) then
a valve will not close that forces the ejaculate outward.
The ejaculate then follows the path of least resistance,
which is up into the bladder. The most significant
side effect of this complication is that it is very
difficult to complete conception. Potency is not affected,
and the sensation of sex is still largely the same.
In the vast majority of cases this complication resolves
over the course of about 6-12 months.
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