Risks:

There may be complications with any of the procedures for scoliosis repair.

Risks for any anesthesia are:

• Allergic reactions to medicines
• Breathing problems

Risks for any surgery are:

• Bleeding
• Blood clots in the legs that may travel to the lungs
• Heart attack or stroke during surgery
• Infection, including in the lungs (pneumonia), bladder, or kidney

Possible complications from any scoliosis repair surgery are:

• Blood loss that requires a transfusion.
• Gallstones or pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) may occur.
• Infection.
• Intestinal obstruction (blockage) may occur.
• Nerve injury. This occurs in fewer than 1% (1 out of 100) of patients and may cause muscle weakness. Paralysis is very rare.
• Some people may have lung problems up to 1 week after surgery. Breathing may not be completely normal until 1 to 2 months after surgery.

Problems that may develop in the future include:

• The fusion does not heal. This can lead to a painful condition in which a false joint grows at the site. It is called pseudarthrosis.
• The parts of the spine that are fused can no longer move. This puts stress on other parts of the back. The extra stress can cause back pain and make the disks break down (disk degeneration).
• One of the metal hooks placed in the spine may move a little. One of the metal rods may rub on a sensitive spot. Both of these things can cause some pain.
• New spinal problems may develop, especially in children who have surgery before their spine has stopped growing.