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
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Damage to the carotid or vertebral artery resulting in a stroke or excessive bleeding, even death
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Damage to the recurrent laryngeal nerve resulting in hoarseness
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Damage to the superior laryngeal nerve resulting in swallowing disturbance
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Damage to the esophagus or trachea resulting in infection
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Damage to the dura, resulting in a cerebrospinal fluid leak or pocket of cerebral spinal fluid beneath the incision (pseudomeningocele)
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Mechanical complications of the graft and plate (including graft migration, breakage of the plate, screw pullout, etc.)
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Wound infection
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Development of painful pseudoarthrosis (failure of adequate fusion to occur)
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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.
