Complications of surgical treatment of degenerative lumbar stenosis

Abstract

Objective. To study the structure of complications after surgical treatment of degenerative lumbar stenosis and to analyze their influence on outcomes and indications for revision. Material and Methods. A total of 513 patients with degenerative lumbar stenosis underwent decompression and stabilization of stenotic spinal motion segments including transpedicular fixation and fusion (TLIF or PLIF). All complications both during operations and in the early and late periods of follow-up were systematized. Results. The total rate of complications was 26.51 %. The rate of early complications, including intraoperative ones was 12.67 %, and of late complications – 13.84 %. Conclusion. Unsatisfactory outcome in the early postoperative period was associated with pulmonary embolism and suppuration of postoperative wound with generalization of the infection process. Unsatisfactory long-term results of treatment were most often caused by loosening of instrumentation and late suppuration.

Keywords

• lumbar stenosis
• surgical treatment
• complications