Remote Complications Overview

Terminology

Postoperative vision loss (POVL)

Ischemic optic neuropathy (ION)

General Medical Complications

Orthopedic surgery in total (including spine surgery) has a 1-5% incidence of cardiac death and nonfatal myocardial infarction. Studies have shown a 3.4% incidence of cardiac complications in spine surgery with a mortality as high as 70%. Highly functioning, cardiac asymptomatic patients who tolerate 4 metabolic equivalents (METS) do not seem to benefit from additional preoperative cardiac testing. For reference, 4 METS is equivalent to daily activities, including walking, eating, etc. Golf and climbing stairs requires more than 4 METS. Most postoperative myocardial infarctions occur in the first 48 hours after surgery. These are usually chest pain-free events with tachycardia.