Retained broken knife blades within the disc space.
METHODS
Four cases in which, during standard laminectomies, knife blades broke deep into the disc space are reported.


BACKGROUND
These broken knife blades could not be removed at the time of initial operations.


RESULTS
Follow-up studies indicated further anterior migration of retained fragments in two cases after ambulation.


CONCLUSIONS
Because of the potential hazards of late intraabdominal visceral or vascular injuries, removal of sharp retained fragments at another session is recommended.
Amirjamshidi
A
A
Department of Neurosurgery, Sina Hospital, Tehran, Iran.
Mehrazin
M
M
Abbassioun
K
K
Ketabtchi
E
E
D005260:Female; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D005548:Foreign-Body Migration / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007403:Intervertebral Disc; D007796:Laminectomy; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D011859:Radiography; D012086:Reoperation; D012307:Risk Factors; D013525:Surgical Instruments