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The migration of a broken luque rod: a case report
Kenichi Hirano1, Masao Deguchi, Toshihisa Kanamono
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Nagano Red Cross Hospital, 5-22-1 Wakasato, Nagano, Nagano Prefecture, Japan. kenichi923hirano@ybb.ne.jp
Journal of Spinal Disorders & Techniques
|April 7, 2007
Summary
A rare complication of Luque spinal instrumentation occurred 10 years after surgery for spinal fractures. A broken rod migrated through the sacrum into the rectum, requiring surgical extraction.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Spinal Surgery
Background:
- Luque segmental spinal instrumentation is used for spinal fractures and associated paraplegia.
- Spinal instrumentation aims to stabilize the spine and facilitate healing.
Observation:
- A patient developed a rare complication 10 years after Luque instrumentation for thoracic vertebral fractures.
- The complication involved broken rods and sublaminar wires.
- A migrated rod penetrated the sacrum, entered the pelvic cavity, and protruded into the rectum.
Findings:
- The broken rod was extracted via the rectal wall and anus.
- This case highlights a severe, delayed complication of spinal instrumentation.
Implications:
- Emphasizes the critical need for meticulous surgical technique in spinal instrumentation.
- Underscores the importance of long-term patient follow-up after spinal instrumentation procedures.
- Suggests potential for late-stage hardware failure and migration with spinal instrumentation.
