[Retroperitoneal vascular injuries as a complication of lumbar disc operation]

We describe 2 cases of retroperitoneal hematoma after lumbar disc surgery following injury to retroperitoneal vessels. One patient sustained a partial tear of the right common iliac artery during left L4/5 discectomy, the other a complete tear of the lowest lumbar artery during left L5/S1 discectomy. Both patients developed hypovolemic shock 4-5 hours postoperatively, with acute abdominal symptoms and signs; the former patient also showed signs of ischemia of the right lower extremity. Both recovered completely after surgical intervention with vascular repair and evacuation of the retroperitoneal hematoma.