What is a reported complication from spinal surgery performed in the prone position?

The reported complication from spinal surgery performed in the prone position that is particularly noteworthy is vision loss. This risk arises from the position itself, which can increase pressure on the eyes. In prone positioning, especially during lengthy surgeries, there is potential for the patient's face to be compressed against the operating table, possibly leading to ischemia and subsequent vision impairments. Studies have documented cases where this complication occurred, emphasizing the importance of proper positioning, padding, and monitoring during surgeries conducted in this manner.

While other complications such as infection, hematoma, and ruptured disc are relevant to spinal surgery in general, they are not uniquely associated with the prone position. Infection could occur in any surgical context, hematoma can arise from various surgical factors, and a ruptured disc is typically related to pre-existing conditions or post-operative movement rather than the surgical position itself.