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Intestinal injury after lumbar discectomy
E B Smith1, J R DeBord, W C Hanigan
1University of Illinois College of Medicine, Department of Neurosciences, Peoria 61656-1649.
Surgery, Gynecology & Obstetrics
|July 1, 1991
Summary
Lumbar discectomy can rarely cause small intestinal injury, particularly at the lumbosacral junction. Maintaining high suspicion and ensuring adequate visualization during surgery may help prevent this rare complication.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Gastroenterology
- Surgical Complications
Background:
- Lumbar discectomy is a common surgical procedure for spinal disc herniation.
- Complications, though rare, require thorough understanding and prevention strategies.
Observation:
- A review of 5,200 lumbar discectomies identified two cases of ventral disc space perforation leading to small intestinal injury.
- Literature review identified 11 similar cases, predominantly involving the small intestine postoperatively at the lumbosacral junction.
Findings:
- Patient factors and surgical techniques, including microscope use, did not appear to influence the risk of intestinal injury.
- Post-discectomy intestinal injury can manifest as acute abdominal symptoms or chronic wound infections.
Implications:
- A high index of suspicion is crucial for diagnosing post-discectomy intestinal injuries.
- Adequate visualization of the disc space during lumbar discectomy may reduce the incidence of this rare complication.