Complications of Anterior and Posterior Cervical Spine Surgery

Overview

Journal Asian Spine J

Date 2016 Apr 27

PMID 27114784

Citations 49

Authors

Jason Pui Yin Cheung

Keith Dip-Kei Luk

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Cervical spine surgery performed for the correct indications yields good results. However, surgeons need to be mindful of the many possible pitfalls. Complications may occur starting from the anaesthestic procedure and patient positioning to dura exposure and instrumentation. This review examines specific complications related to anterior and posterior cervical spine surgery, discusses their causes and considers methods to prevent or treat them. In general, avoiding complications is best achieved with meticulous preoperative analysis of the pathology, good patient selection for a specific procedure and careful execution of the surgery. Cervical spine surgery is usually effective in treating most pathologies and only a reasonable complication rate exists.

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