Abstract
We report a case of progressive thrombotic occlusion of the left common iliac artery in a 41-year-old woman after anterior interbody fusion, which initially presented only as a sensation of numbness. Diagnosis was delayed until complete arterial occlusion occurred 36 h after surgery. A sensory deficit may be the only early sign of a progressive thrombotic arterial occlusion. In anterior spinal surgery, routine postoperative vascular monitoring of the lower extremities is recommended and mandatory for early diagnosis and treatment of this rare complication.
Keywords: Key words Arterial thrombosis, Anterior lumbar interbody fusion, Complication, Vascular injury
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Footnotes
Received: 26 November 1997 Accepted: 13 January 1998