Complications of transpedicular spine fixation and their causes

Background. Transpedicular stabilization of the spine caries the risk of complications. Iatrogenic neurological symptoms after spinal cord or spinal roots involvement, misguided screws, stress fractures and loosening of screws are the most dangerous.
The aim of the study was the assessment of reasons and types of complications after transpedicular stabilization.
Material and methods. We assessed 138 patients treated in Orthopaedic Department, Medical Academy of Lublin in years 1993-2001. Operative indications in 73 cases were trauma and in 41 cases were spondylolisthesis and tumors.
Results and Conclusions. 2 patients (1,45%) died in early postoperative period due to gastric ulcer perforation and thoracic trauma. In 1 patient (0,73%) septic complications occurred. Incorrect introduction of transpedicular screws was found in 4 patients (2,95%) -i 2 patients they perforated lateral wall of the vertebral body and in 2 patients internal wall of the spinal canal. Stress fractures of the screws were found in 3 patients (2,17%) after one year from the operation. In all four cases the reason of the fracture was lack of spondylodesis. In 5 patients (3,68%) we noticed dura mater lacerations caused by intraoperative separation of fractured vertebral body or tumor.