title: Medical complications of surgical treatment of adult spinal deformity and how to avoid them.
abstract: METHODS
  Review article of medical complications related to adult spinal deformity surgery.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To identify medical complications related to surgery for adult spinal deformity and suggest ways to minimize their occurrence and to avoid them.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Medical complications are a major consideration in adult spinal deformity surgery. Few studies have been done to identify the medical complication rate in relation to these procedures.
  
  
  METHODS
  We review the literature pertaining to medical complications regarding spinal deformity surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Urinary tract infections are the most frequently seen complication. Additionally, pulmonary complications are the most common life-threatening complication. Medical complications are a frequent occurrence with adult deformity spinal surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Awareness of the presentation, treatment, and prevention of medical complications of deformity surgery may allow minimization of their occurrence and optimize treatment should they occur.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Spinal Disorders, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Eli M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Baron
authors.forename: Todd J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Albert
mesh_terms: D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013121:Spinal Curvatures / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013131:Spine / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control