• Home

Home > Medical Reference > Encyclopedia (English)

Toggle: English / Spanish

Spinal fusion

• Overview
• Recovery
• Risks

Alternative Names:

Vertebral interbody fusion; Posterior spinal fusion; Arthrodesis; Anterior spinal fusion

Risks:

Risks for any anesthesia include the following:

• Reactions to medications
• Problems breathing

Risks for any surgery include the following:

• Bleeding
• Infection

Additional risks include the following:

• Urinary difficulties (including urinary retention)
• Temporarily decreased or absent intestinal function ( paralytic ileus )

• Review Date: 9/21/2006
• Reviewed By: Jeffrey Kauffman, MD, Sacramento Knee and Sports Medicine, Sacramento, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process . A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2007 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.