The anterior approach to the spine is necessary for correction of some congenital spinal deformities and other conditions, including spinal trauma, infection, and tumor. The morbidity associated with this procedure has not been extensively reviewed in the literature. Between 1981 and 1986, 85 patients (41 male and 44 female) aged 1 to 77 years underwent anterior spinal fusion by an orthopedic or general surgery team (33 pediatric patients and 52 adult patients). Thirty-four patients had scoliosis, 8 had kyphosis, 24 had spinal trauma, 9 had tumor, and 10 had infection. Fifteen patients had restrictive lung disease diagnosed by pulmonary function testing (10 children and 5 adults). The thoracoabdominal approach was used in 50 patients, thoracotomy in 22 patients, and the lumbar approach in 10 patients. Two incisions were used in three patients. Correction was accomplished by interbody fusion in 36 patients (17 with instrumentation) and strut graft in 49 patients (6 with instrumentation). Twelve strut grafts were vascularized ribs and 37 were free ribs. Eighty-two patients survived (96 percent). Seventy-four complications occurring in 50 patients all resolved prior to discharge. These included 28 pulmonary complications, 27 urinary complications, and 5 gastrointestinal complications. Three patients required prolonged mechanical ventilation. Solid fusion was seen in 78 of 85 patients, whereas pseudoarthrosis developed in 7.