Complications after spine operations can be differentiated into general—infections and/or haemorrhages—and specific problems. They often require revision operations. Specific indications for surgical revision among others include instability and defective positions. 1,055 spinal operations performed in a period of 5.5 years were subjected to a retrospective analysis. Postoperative infections made surgical revision necessary in 6% of these cases, and in 3% defective positions with pseudarthrotic required surgical correction. Especially for correction of defective positions at the thoracolumbar transition, minimally invasive endoscopic technology allows excellent support. Surprisingly, badly positioned pedicle screws were found in only rather a small proportion of cases (1.5%). Since in individual cases it was confirmed that neurological recovery was linked to the timing of the revision operation, we base our decision on whether emergency surgery is indicated on this perception when appropriate.