Because the spine is only two or three millimeters from the central nervous system and aorta, if there is even a slight slip during surgery there could be very serious complications. The two operations require more than ten hours in all, a major test of the physical stamina of both doctor and patient.
由於胸腔是內臟器官的重鎮，加上脊椎距離中樞神經及主動脈只有 2、3 毫米之差，傳統前路手術稍有不慎，就可能導致氣胸、肺炎、大血管損傷等併發症，而兩次手術時間加起來長達十幾小時，對醫生和病患的體力也是一大考驗。