Neurologic Complications after Spinal Surgery: Personal Experience

Neurological complications are a potential risk after spine surgery with various reported rates. This a case series of a single surgeon’s experience of neurological complications following spine surgery between the 2007-2010 with review of the current recommendations regarding the use of intra-operative neuro monitoring during spine surgery. In the period between 2007-2010, 215 spine procedures were performed by single surgeon in all regions of the spine for various pathological conditions (deformity, tumor, infection, trauma, and degenerative), 61% were female patients with an average age of 37 years. Patients with preoperative complete neurological loss where excluded from this review. Intra operative neuro monitoring was used in 27 cases. Three patients (1.4%) wake up from surgery with new neurological deficit and after urgent appropriate imaging studies, 2 were taking back to the operating rooms within few hours of their index operation. Both made full recovery of their deficit in the postoperative period. The 3rd patient’ s lower ext paralysis was observed and over time. He was able to regain his ambulation ability. The incidence of neurological complication in this series is very similar to other reports, higher risk procedures should be done under intra operative neuro monitoring. This report could serve as guide for counseling of patients pre operatively regarding the potential for such adverse effects.