Interbody fusion of the lower cervical spine: a dangerous surgical method?

• DOI: 10.1007/bf00189475
• Publication Date: 2004-09-25T07:12:43Z
• Authors: F. Schweighofer; J.M. Passler; R. Wildburger; H.P. Hofer
• Keywords: Adult; Male; Neurologic Examination; Reoperation; Wound Healing; Bone Screws; Joint Dislocations; 3. Good health; Radiography; 03 medical and health sciences; Postoperative Complications; Spinal Fusion; 0302 clinical medicine; Recurrence; Cervical Vertebrae; Humans; Spinal Fractures; Surgical Wound Infection; Female; Spinal Diseases; Bone Plates; Vertebral Artery; Follow-Up Studies

Our follow-up study of 175 cases of interbody fusion of the lower cervical spine was conducted to show the complications that occurred in our department with what is considered to be a tried and tested method. From 1976 to 1990, 175 patients were treated with this method. These 175 cases included 150 fractures and/or dislocations. The indications for surgery in the remaining 25 cases were tumors and metastases, inflammatory or degenerative diseases and chronic instabilities following laminectomy. The following complications were seen: 4 cases of infection, 3 postoperative redislocations, 2 cases of extensive loosening of metal, 1 unilateral lesion of the vertebral artery, 1 nonunion with plate fracture, 1 post-operative radicular disorder in an otherwise neurologically normal patients, and 1 secondary extension of the interbody fusion required after failure to recognize a two-segment lesion.