Aortic laceration after anterior spinal fusion

Six weeks after anterior spinal fusion and instrumentation for a burst fracture of the second lumbar vertebra, a patient developed a nearly fatal retroperitoneal hemorrhage from a laceration of the aorta produced by the metallic implant. This experience suggests that placement of fusion hardware in close proximity to large arteries should be avoided if possible or, if such placement is necessary, the device should be removed as soon as fusion has taken place.