Oblique Lumbar Interbody Fusion in Patient with Persistent Left-Sided Inferior Vena Cava: Case Report and Review of...

Oblique lumbar interbody fusion takes advantage of the wide interval between the aorta and left-sided psoas muscle to access the lumbar spine, allowing a minimally invasive approach for interbody fusion with lower associated morbidity. As this approach is gaining popularity among spine surgeons, it is important to understand the potential pitfalls that may arise in patients with congenital anomalies of the vascular anatomy.

We present a case of a persistent left-sided inferior vena cava (IVC) affecting the side of approach in a patient undergoing lumbar interbody fusion through an oblique prepsoas retroperitoneal approach. Preoperative imaging of our patient revealed a persistent left-sided inferior vena cava with a wide interval between the aorta and the right-sided psoas, allowing us a right-sided oblique approach.

Thorough preoperative imaging evaluation is essential to identify vascular anomalies that may hinder oblique prepsoas retroperitoneal approach to the lumbar spine. Although rare, double IVC or isolated left IVC may complicate the oblique approach.