Potential Risks and Complications of Surgery

While uncommon, as with all surgery there are a number of risks and potential complications that can occur, including:

• Hemorrhage or formation of a wound hematoma
• Damage to the carotid or vertebral artery resulting in a stroke or excessive bleeding, even death
• Damage to the recurrent laryngeal nerve resulting in hoarseness

• Damage to the superior laryngeal nerve resulting in swallowing disturbance
• Damage to the esophagus or trachea resulting in infection
• Damage to the dura, resulting in a cerebrospinal fluid leak or pocket of cerebral spinal fluid beneath the incision (pseudomeningocele)
• Mechanical complications of the graft and plate (including graft migration, breakage of the plate, screw pullout, etc.)
• Wound infection
• Development of painful pseudoarthrosis (failure of adequate fusion to occur)
• Damage to the spinal cord or nerve root(s) resulting in pain, weakness, paralysis, loss of sensation, loss of bowel or bladder function, impaired sexual function, etc.

• Article written by:
• Thomas M. Wascher, MD, FACS

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