Spinal cord ischemia following elective aortoiliac reconstruction

Spinal cord ischemia following abdominal aortic procedures is a rare complication. It occurs most commonly after operations for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms but has also been reported secondary to operations for aortoiliac occlusive disease. A 67-year-old man suffered spinal cord infarction following a routine, uncomplicated aortofemoral bypass. Although generally considered a rare and unpredictable complication of aortoiliac reconstruction, measures are discussed which might have prevented its occurrence in this case, and may further reduce its incidence in the future.