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Vertebral body fractures after transpsoas interbody fusion procedures
Justin E Brier-Jones1, Daniel K Palmer, Serkan Ĭnceoğlu
1Orthopaedic Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Loma Linda University, 11406 Loma Linda Drive, Suite 213, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA.
Background Context:
Although the frequency of transpsoas lumbar interbody fusion procedures has increased in recent years, complication reports remain scarce in the literature.
Purpose:
To present four cases of vertebral body fracture after transpsoas interbody fusion procedures in nonosteoporotic patients without significant trauma and discuss relevant biomechanical factors.
Study Design:
Case series and literature review.
Patient Sample:
Patients 1 and 2 were obese men who underwent one- and two-level transpsoas interbody fusion procedures and subsequently experienced coronal plane fracture. Patients 3 and 4 were elderly women who underwent multilevel transpsoas interbody fusion procedures and experienced L5 compression fracture.
Results:
Patients 2 and 3 were treated nonsurgically after fracture. The fractures healed uneventfully; however, Patient 3 developed a flat back syndrome. Patient 1 underwent posterior instrumented fusion and had solid bridging bone above and below the fracture. Patient 4 was treated with vertebroplasty. Factors potentially contributing to these fractures were discussed.
Conclusions:
Fracture can occur after transpsoas lumbar interbody fusion, even in nonosteoporotic patients. Factors, such as intraoperative end-plate breach, subsidence, compression by lateral screws, and cage rolling, could contribute to the development of fractures after transpsoas interbody fusion.
