Asystole during lumbar discectomy: a case report
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 21, 2026
Full-Endoscopic Transforaminal Approach for Lumbar Discectomy
Published on: September 8, 2023
Vikas Chauhan1, Ankita Tiwari1, Girija Prasad Rath1
1Department of Neuroanaesthesiology & Critical Care, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (A.I.I.M.S.), New Delhi, India.
Abstract:
Hemodynamic derangements have been reported after surgery involving upper cervical spine. Similar observations, however, are rare during a lumbar spine surgery. We share our experience in a patient who had 2 episodes of bradycardia leading to transient asystole while undergoing lumbar discectomy for prolapsed intervertebral disc. The risk of life-threatening hemodynamic disturbances during seemingly uncomplicated surgery in prone position has been emphasized.
