Venous injury in lumbar anterior spine surgery.

UNLABELLED: To assess the clinical and angiological outcome of venous injury in lumbar anterior spine surgery.

DESIGN

Follow-up study.

METHODS

During a seven-year time span 77 consecutive patients underwent lumbar anterior spine surgery. Of these patients three patients suffered two minor and two major vein injuries. In two cases this was a common iliac vein injury. The other two injuries were at the level of the junction of the iliac veins with the inferior vena cava. The injuries were repaired by direct suture and the patients were followed-up by an independent angiologist.

RESULTS

The follow-up, done clinically and with duplex sonography, plethysmography and ankle pressures showed no sequelae from the venous injuries.

CONCLUSIONS

Venous injuries following anterior spine surgery are rare and may have a good recovery. Preoperative informed consent is recommended.