Possible Complications

General Risks

Surgery does carry with it the general risks associated with having an anaesthetic. These will depend to some degree upon your age, your general state of health and any other specific medical problems that affect you. These risks are low but should not be ignored and it must always be remembered that some complications, although rare, can be very serious and certain unforeseen circumstances can even lead to death. However, clinical experience and many studies show us that these risks are very unusual and for the vast majority of patients surgery proceeds entirely uneventfully. If you have concerns about your specific risks or feel any issues have not been answered please feel free to ask at any stage.

Risks of Spinal Decompression

The specific risks of having a spinal decompression include a small risk of additional damage to the nerve roots at the level of the surgery. In some instances of stenosis the nerve roots may have been so badly compressed that the act of exposing and moving the nerve roots sufficiently to decompress the spinal canal can be 'the last straw' and cause some nerve injury. The possible consequences of this could include continuing leg pain, numbness or altered sensation, muscle weakness and even (very rarely) impairment of bowel and bladder control. Bear in mind, however, that not having surgery may have similar consequences due to continuing compression of the nerve roots.

The nerves in the lower spine are covered in a gossamer thin skin called the dura. There is a small chance that this may be torn during the surgery, particularly if it has become stuck to the inside of the spinal canal due to the tight compression. This is not unusual in stenosis. It can be a little like trying to peel an overcooked sausage off a frying pan. A tear of the dura is not particularly serious in itself and sometimes it can simply be repaired. However, if a tear occurs you may be asked to remain on flat bed rest for a few days after the surgery to allow the tear to heal.

Some scar tissue formation (or 'fibrosis') around the nerve root is inevitable. The amount varies from one individual to another, but it does not usually cause any problems. Careful surgical technique is important. Mr Boeree will use a barrier gel which has been shown to keep the formation of scar tissue around the nerve roots to a minimum.

There is a very small risk of infection. You will be given prophylactic antibiotics to keep this risk to an absolute minimum.

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