title: Complications of surgical intervention in adult lumbar scoliosis.
abstract: If nonoperative measures are unsuccessful in managing the pain and disability of adult spinal deformities, surgical correction may provide the potential for significant improvement in a patient's quality of life. However, these procedures have a relatively high risk of complications. Identifying patients that may benefit from surgical intervention requires a thorough understanding of potential complications and managing the risks of any individual patient. Complications do not necessarily result in poor outcomes, and good outcomes are not always complication free. Higher risk patients potentially have more to gain, even if they experience complications. With the rapidly expanding senior population and expanded capabilities to manage high-risk patients, it is helpful to consider the lessons provided by ever expanding databases of outcome measures to refine the surgical decision-making process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, University of Virginia Medical Center, PO Box 800212, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA.
authors.forename: Peter A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Christiansen
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, University of Virginia Medical Center, PO Box 800212, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: LaBagnara
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, University of Virginia Medical Center, PO Box 800212, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA.
authors.forename: Durga R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Sure
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, University of Virginia Medical Center, PO Box 800212, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA.
authors.forename: Christopher I
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Shaffrey
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, University of Virginia Medical Center, PO Box 800212, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA. JSS7F@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu.
authors.forename: Justin S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Smith
keywords: Complication; Durotomy; Impact; Infection; Proximal junctional kyphosis; Pseudarthrosis