Lateral Access Spine Surgery following Liver Transplantation: A Report of Two Cases

With improving prognosis for recipients of liver transplantation, the necessity of medical care for musculoskeletal disorders, including spinal diseases, of these patients is also increasing. Only a few reports are available on cases of spine surgery following liver transplantation. Furthermore, a case of lateral access surgery following liver transplantation has not thus far been reported. The purpose of this study is to present the first two cases of patients treated with lateral access spine surgery following liver transplantation. Case 1. A 49-year-old female had received living donor liver transplantation (LT) for acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) ten years prior to spine surgery. The patient underwent two levels of lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) followed by posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) for degenerative lumbar disease. Although neurological symptoms in the lower extremity improved, a liver disorder resulting from acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity occurred at an early stage following spine surgery. Case 2. A 66-year-old female had received living donor liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) six years prior to spine surgery. She underwent posterior instrumentation surgery followed by a T12 corpectomy using a wide-foot print expandable cage for T12 vertebral collapse. Following surgery, her weakened muscle strength in the lower extremities was significantly improved. Lateral access spine surgery for lumbar and thoracolumbar lesions can be successfully performed for patients following liver transplantation. However, careful follow-up should be performed for complications related to the function of the liver graft following spine surgery.