The most common risk of any of the fusion techniques is the persistence of low back pain symptoms. It is well documented in the medical literature that people who smoke have a lower rate of successful fusion. If pedicle screws are used, there is a risk that the screws may break or become loose and may require further surgery to remove the screws.
All fusion surgeries have the potential for complications.
Thankfully most of the complications occur infrequently. The complications that can occur include those that would be associated with any type of surgery, such as infection, bleeding, and anesthetic complications. Another potential complication of fusion surgery in the low back includes any type of nerve damage. In a small percentage of men who have an anterior fusion, a rare complication results in difficulties with ejaculation following surgery.