EVALUATION OF COMPLICATIONS IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING ANTERIOR LUMBAR FUSION (ALIF)

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate intraoperative and immediate postoperative complications in patients undergoing the ALIF technique, to perform an epidemiological assessment of these patients, and to determine possible risk factors for these complications. Methods: An observational and retrospective study was conducted, analyzing the electronic medical records of patients undergoing spinal surgery using the ALIF technique between February 2020 and February 2024. Epidemiological data, operated levels, presence of low back pain and/or pain radiating to the lower limbs, blood loss, and procedure time were evaluated. Intraoperative and immediate postoperative complications were evaluated. Results: A total of 101 patients were analyzed. The most frequently treated level was L5-S1 in 47 patients. The average surgery time was 97 minutes, and blood loss during surgery ranged from 20 to 350 mL. Surgical time and intraoperative bleeding were greater in patients who presented with vascular complications. In this study, eight (7.9%) patients presented intra/perioperative complications, of which 05 patients had left iliac vein injury, 02 patients had lower plateau injury of L5, and 01 patient had vasospasm in the left lower limb. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that 7.9% of patients undergoing the ALIF technique presented complications, with vascular complications being the most prevalent at the L4L5 level. In addition, it revealed that age, sex, BMI, abdominal surgery, and previous spinal surgery did not influence intraoperative complications. Level of Evidence B-2C; Longitudinal and Retrospective Study.