Major vascular injury during anterior lumbar spinal surgery: incidence, risk factors, and management.
METHODS
Retrospective chart review.


OBJECTIVE
To examine the incidence of major vascular injury during anterior lumbar spinal surgery, attempt to identify predisposing risk factors, and to discuss management techniques.


BACKGROUND
Major vascular injury can be a catastrophic complication of anterior lumbar spinal surgery.


METHODS
Current procedural terminology codes were used to identify the occurrence of major vascular injury, defined as injury to the iliac vessels, vena cava, and aorta. Once identified, the office record, hospital chart, operative note, and diagnostic test results were reviewed in detail.


RESULTS
Three hundred forty-five operations were performed on 338 patients. Incidence of major vascular complication was 2.9% (10 of 345). There were 9 injuries of the common iliac vein and a single aortic injury. Risk factors identified in patients with major vascular injury were current or previous osteomyelitis or discogenic infection (n = 3), previous anterior spinal surgery (n = 2), spondylolisthesis (n = 2; 1 isthmic Grade II, 1 iatrogenic Grade II), large anterior osteophyte (n = 2), transitional lumbosacral vertebra (n = 1), and anterior migration of interbody device (n = 1). Lateral venorrhaphy by suture (n = 6) and hemoclip application (n = 2) was augmented by topical agents, which constituted the sole method of repair on 1 occasion. Magnetic resonance venography demonstrated iliac vein thrombosis in 1 patient.


CONCLUSIONS
Current or previous osteomyelitis or discogenic infection, previous anterior spinal surgery, spondylolisthesis, osteophyte formation, transitional lumbosacral vertebra and anterior migration of interbody device point to an increased risk of vascular injury during anterior lumbar spinal surgery. Careful handling of the vascular structures and liberal use of topical hemostatic agents can lead to control of hemorrhage and preservation of vascular patency. Routine postoperative surveillance for proximal deep vein thrombosis, by magnetic resonance venography of the pelvic veins and inferior vena cava, should be performed after venorrhaphy.
Fantini
Gary A
GA
Hospital for Special Surgery, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York, USA. gaf@newyorkphysicians.com
Pappou
Ioannis P
IP
Girardi
Federico P
FP
Sandhu
Harvinder S
HS
Cammisa
Frank P
FP
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001011:Aorta / Q000293:injuries; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007084:Iliac Vein / Q000293:injuries*; D015994:Incidence; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013128:Spinal Osteophytosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D013168:Spondylolisthesis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures