A Wandering Intravascular Scalpel Fragment After Lumbar Discectomy: A Case Report

ARAS A. B., ÖZKAN Ö. F., ALAR T., Ozkan A., Arik M., Kosar S., ...More

TURKISH NEUROSURGERY, vol.24, no.5, pp.774-777, 2014 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 24 Issue: 5
  • Publication Date: 2014
  • Doi Number: 10.5137/1019-5149.jtn.9233-13.0
  • Journal Name: TURKISH NEUROSURGERY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
  • Page Numbers: pp.774-777
  • Keywords: Iliac vein, Lumbar discectomy, Pulmonary artery, Scalpel
  • Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Vascular complications after lumbar discectomy are rarely seen. We present a unique and potentially life-threatening postoperative complication from this procedure. A 27-year-old man was admitted to our emergency vascular unit 1 day after a lumbar discectomy, during which a scalpel blade fragmented and a part was lost. Radiological images of the patient were performed and a broken scalpel blade was located anterior to the sacrum. An anterior laparotomy was performed which identified a mass within the left iliac vein that migrated suddenly to the inferior vena cava. An emergency angiography was performed, by which time the scalpel blade had ascended to the right-sided inferior pulmonary artery. It was subsequently removed via a right lateral thoracotomy.