• Marc A Bjurlin, Layne A Rousseau, Patricia P Vidal, and Courtney M P Hollowell.
• Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County, 1900 W. Polk Street, Suite 465, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
• Spine J. 2009 Jun 1; 9 (6): e13-5.

Background ContextUrologic, gynecologic, and colorectal surgical procedures account for most of the iatrogenic ureteral injuries; however, iatrogenic injury secondary to thoracolumbar spinal surgery remains a rare complication.PurposeTo report a case of iatrogenic ureteral injury secondary to a thoracolumbar lateral revision instrumentation and fusion managed by percutaneous nephrostomy, ureteroureterostomy, and ureteral stent placement.Study DesignCase report.MethodsA 24-year old female underwent surgical removal of a lumbar plate and broken screw with placement of a unirod spanning L1-L3 through a thoracolumbar exposure with resection of the twelfth rib.ResultsOn postoperative day 14 she developed left flank pain. Computed tomography scan of the abdomen and pelvis demonstrated a left perinephric fluid collection. After placement of a nephrostomy tube, a retrograde pyelogram with a concomitant antegrade nephrostogram confirmed the diagnosis of ureteral entrapment in the lumbar instrumentation. A spatulated end to end ureteral anastomosis (ureteroureterostomy) was performed over a double J ureteral stent.ConclusionsAlthough an iatrogenic ureteral injury secondary to thoracolumbar surgery is rare, it should be included in the differential diagnosis for a patient presenting with flank pain after undergoing lateral thoracolumbar fusion. A urinoma, also an uncommon occurrence, may be a presenting sign. Prompt diagnosis and institution of appropriate corrective surgical procedures may result in successful outcome.

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