Final answer:
Potential complications after a lumbar laminectomy include infection, bleeding, blood clots, nerve injury, cerebrospinal fluid leak, hardware failure, pseudarthrosis, and persistent pain post-surgery.
Step-by-step explanation:
Post-operative complications after a lumbar laminectomy, which is a surgical procedure to alleviate back and leg pain caused by pressure on the spinal nerves, may vary from patient to patient. Some of the possible complications include infection, bleeding, blood clots, nerve injury, and cerebrospinal fluid leak. Infection can occur at the site of the surgery and might require antibiotics or additional surgery to address. Bleeding within the surgical area can lead to hematoma formation that may compress the spinal nerves and require intervention. Blood clots, particularly in the legs (deep vein thrombosis), can be life-threatening if they travel to the lungs (pulmonary embolism), and preventive measures are often taken to mitigate this risk.
Another notable complication is nerve injury, which can lead to weakness, numbness, or pain. Additionally, during the procedure, there is a risk of accidentally causing a cerebrospinal fluid leak, which may result in a condition known as a cerebrospinal fluid fistula. Management of such a complication can be complex, including bed rest, and sometimes require surgical repair too.
Patients should also be mindful of the possibility of hardware failure or pseudarthrosis if spinal fusion was performed in conjunction with laminectomy. In these cases, the metal screws, rods, or cages may become loose or the bones may not fuse properly, respectively, leading to additional surgery. Lastly, some patients may experience persistent pain despite the surgery, a condition often referred to as 'failed back surgery syndrome'.