title: Direct lesion and repair of a common iliac vein during XLIF approach.
abstract: Description of a case of direct intraoperative lesion and repair of a major vascular injury of common iliac vein during an extreme lateral interbody fusion L4-L5 procedure.
  
  
  
  A 69-year-old female who was operated for L4-L5 spondilolysthesis suffered a major vascular injury of a vein. The high cava bifurcation and inadequate pre-operative analysis of the radiological documentation resulted in the lesion. The lesion was successfully repaired and the patient did not suffer post-operative sequelae.
  
  
  
  The repair was successful although the index spine procedure was not ended. Detailed pre-operative planning, based on radiological examination of vascular structures, should be a mandatory step prior to this specific surgical approach.
  
  
  
  Although safer than anterior retroperitoneal approach, extreme lateral interbody fusion still bears risk for major vascular injury.
authors.affiliation: Villa Torri Hospital, Bologna, Italy. joburic77@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Josip
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Buric
authors.affiliation: Villa Torri Hospital, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bombardieri
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007084:Iliac Vein / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery; D012187:Retroperitoneal Space / Q000601:surgery; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D057772:Vascular System Injuries / Q000209:etiology*
keywords: Complications; Direct repair; Vascular injury; XLIF