Table 5.
Type of the worst complication per patient at discharge and at 6 weeks follow-up.
| Complication | Number of patients | surgical | medical | related | serious |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New neurological symptoms or unexpected or new pain (temporary) | 12 (11 unexpecteded postoperative pains, 1 new neurological symptoms) | 12 | 0 | 12 | 12 |
| Cardiovascular complications | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 4 |
| Wound healing complication | 5 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 5 |
| Urinary tract infection | 4 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Recurrent herniated disc | 4 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| Dural tear | 4 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Fever | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Epileptic seizure | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Anemia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Meningitis | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Allergic reaction to dressing | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Subileus | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Exacerbated diabetes | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Osteoporotic fracture | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Foot swelling | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 45 | 28 | 17 | 34 | 35 |
| Percentage of N = 138 | 33% | 20% | 12% | 25% | 25% |
| 95% confidence interval | 25–41% | 14–28% | 7–19% | 18–33% | 18–33% |
If a complication was disabling, life-threatening or prolonging hospitalization it was rated as serious.