[Safe quadruplet gestation following peripartum discectomy for massive disc prolapse]

We would Like to present a rare case of multiple gestation following a severe event of spinal cord morbidity during a previous singleton gestation. The medical literature carries a paucity of evidence regarding the future fate of pregnancies following gestational induced intervertebral disc prolapse.

A 21 year old mother delivered a healthy boy after unbearable back pain. She subsequently developed urinary retention with laxity of the anal sphincter and underwent urgent L5-S1 discectomy. Following in vitro fertilization for infertility she conceived and was warned of the dangers of a gestation with quadruplets. The parents decided to continue the gestation regularly without intervention despite possible complications. At 31 weeks of gestation the mother delivered four normal male babies, each weighing over 1200 grams after a normal (supervised) pregnancy devoid of any back symptoms. This case demonstrates a novel clinical scenario of hitherto unreported major challenges to an established vulnerable vertebral column.

To the best of our knowledge this is the first report of a multiple gestation following severe spinal column pathology demanding surgical intervention in order to prevent long term handicap. We could not even locate a series of singleton gestations following such a clinical scenario. The favorable outcome observed in this case is very encouraging and can serve to reassure potential mothers who have experienced a similar previous episode as demonstrated here.

Special caution must be taken when consulting pregnant patients. From this case history we may learn that precautions such as indefinite contraception after a previous incident of massive disc prolapse may be widely unnecessary.