Complications and their management

This chapter reviews the complications that can occur after minimally invasive surgical fusion of the sacroiliac joint, focusing on infection and neurovascular injuries and their prevention and treatment. The sacroiliac joint has been identified as a potential pain generator in 15% to 30% of chronic low back pain and post-laminectomy syndrome patients. Minimally invasive sacroiliac joint fusion via the lateral approach is effective and better tolerated than the open surgical approach. Most of the current studies have focused on efficacy and patient satisfaction as opposed to the safety profile of the procedure. There is a dearth of literature regarding the safety of minimally invasive sacroiliac joint fusion. Over the past few years, a novel posterior approach to sacroiliac joint fusion has become more common that theoretically is safer and potentially as efficacious as the lateral approach.