Postoperative hemorrhage caused by lumbar artery injury in corrective osteotomy for degenerative lumbar scoliosis: case report

Abstract

The present study reported the case of a patient with degenerative lumbar scoliosis who suffered from postoperative hemorrhage due to lumbar artery injury in corrective osteotomy. The patient presented with decline of blood pressure, extremely low hemoglobin, even after blood transfusion and fluid infusion. Digital subtraction angiography showed lumbar artery injury. Successful control of bleeding and gradually stable vital signs were observed after vascular embolisation. Severe and complex spinal deformity, severe osteophytes in the anterior edge of vertebral body, hypertension, and angiosclerosis were the risk factors of large vascular injuries in spinal osteotomy. Lumbar artery injury should be highly suspected when unknown and progressively aggravating abdominal or back pain, abdominal distention, neurological symptoms of lower limbs, decline of blood pressure, increase of heart rate, decrease of hemoglobin level, continuously bloody drainage or incision bleeding occurred. Vascular embolisation was effective and safe in the management of iatrogenic lumbar artery injury.