Can you die from spinal surgery?

Yes, it is possible in rare cases for a person to die from spinal surgery. While the risks of complications are low, there are still some risks associated with any type of surgical procedure. According to the Neurosurgical Atlas, postoperative mortality rates vary from 0.00 to 7%, depending on which type of spine surgery is being performed and the individual's overall health and medical history prior to undergoing surgery. In general, spinal fusion surgeries have higher mortality rates than discectomies or laminectomies due to their complexity and invasiveness.

Patients who suffer from chronic comorbid conditions such as obesity or diabetes may be at higher risk for complications due to anesthesia and poor healing after surgery. There are also potential risks related specifically to spine surgeries that include wound infection, blood clots in the legs or lungs (pulmonary embolism), pneumonia, nerve injury during incision closure resulting in persistent pain or weakness throughout the body (neurologic deficits), stroke, cardiac arrest during anesthesia induction or even death due to cardiovascular disease exacerbated by the stress of surgery—all of which can lead to fatal outcomes if not addressed promptly and properly managed by trained healthcare professionals.