Beijing da xue xue bao. Yi xue ban = Journal of Peking University. Health sciences
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Beijing Da Xue Xue Bao · Feb 2016
[Ultrasound-assisted neuraxial anesthesia in a patient with previous lumbar laminectomy and fusion: a case report].
A patient with previous L3-4 posterior lumbar interbody fusion, pedicle screws instrumentation and L3-4 decompression, was scheduled for left total hip arthroplasty. Two years ago, due to poor landmarks palpation, the patient experienced a failed lumbar puncture after multiple attempts before herniorrhaphy. His plain radiography showed bilateral partial laminectomy at L3-4 level, and between L3 and L4, two posterior pedicle screws connected by metal rods on both sides. ⋯ The surgery was uneventful. No neurologic complication was observed after the surgery. This case report demonstrates that ultRASound imaging can provide useful information for neuraxial needle placement and can be a valuable tool in managing patients with anatomical change around the spine.