• Eur Spine J · May 2017

    Case Reports

    Delayed lymphocele formation following lateral lumbar interbody fusion of the spine.

    • Hey Hwee Weng Dennis HWD 0000-0003-1506-8553 University Orthopaedics, Hand and Reconstructive Microsurgery (UOHC), National University Health System, , Keng Lin Wong, Asrafi Rizki Gatam, Joel Louis Lim, and Hee-Kit Wong.
    • University Orthopaedics, Hand and Reconstructive Microsurgery (UOHC), National University Health System, 1E Kent Ridge Road, NUHS Tower Block Level 11, Singapore, 119228, Singapore. dennis_hey@nuhs.edu.sg.
    • Eur Spine J. 2017 May 1; 26 (Suppl 1): 36-41.

    PurposeThis paper aims to describe the rare post-operative complication of a lymphocele formation after lateral lumbar interbody fusion.MethodsThe patient in this case was a 76-year-old lady with a 10 year history of low back pain and neurogenic claudication. She had previously underwent multiple spine surgeries for her condition. She presented to our institution for a recurrence of her low back pain and right anterior thigh pain. She then underwent surgery in two stages; first, a mini-open lateral interbody fusion at L3/4 and L4/5; second, posterior instrumentation of T3 to S1 with sagittal spinal deformity correction.ResultsThe patient recovered uneventfully in the initial post op period and was discharged within 8 days. However, she developed abdominal distension and discomfort 6 months after surgery. MRI and CT scan of her abdomen showed a retroperitoneal fluid collection compressing her left ureter, resulting in hydroureter and hydronephrosis. She was managed with a CT-guided drainage of the fluid collection. Fluid analysis was consistent with a lymphocele. Since the procedure, the patient has been asymptomatic for 2 years.ConclusionsDelayed lymphocele formation is a potential complication of lateral lumbar interbody fusion. When present, it can be managed conservatively with good results. This case suggests that surgeons should have a low threshold to investigate for a lymphocele development post-anterior or lateral lumbar spine surgery. The authors recommend the placement of a post surgical retroperitoneal drain, as it might assist in the early detection of a lymphocele formation.

      Pubmed     Full text   Copy Citation     Plaintext  

      Add institutional full text...

    Notes

     
    Knowledge, pearl, summary or comment to share?
    300 characters remaining
    help        
    You can also include formatting, links, images and footnotes in your notes
    • Simple formatting can be added to notes, such as *italics*, _underline_ or **bold**.
    • Superscript can be denoted by <sup>text</sup> and subscript <sub>text</sub>.
    • Numbered or bulleted lists can be created using either numbered lines 1. 2. 3., hyphens - or asterisks *.
    • Links can be included with: [my link to pubmed](http://pubmed.com)
    • Images can be included with: ![alt text](https://bestmedicaljournal.com/study_graph.jpg "Image Title Text")
    • For footnotes use [^1](This is a footnote.) inline.
    • Or use an inline reference [^1] to refer to a longer footnote elseweher in the document [^1]: This is a long footnote..

    hide…