Need of vascular surgeon and comparison of value for anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) in lateral decubitus: Delphi consensus.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Anterior lumbar approaches are recommended for clinical conditions that require interbody stability, spinal deformity corrections or a large fusion area. Anterior lumbar interbody fusion in lateral decubitus position (LatALIF) has gained progressive interest in the last years. The study aims to describe the current habit, the perception of safety and the perceptions of need of vascular surgeons according to experienced spine surgeons by comparing LatALIF to the standard L5-S1 supine ALIF (SupALIF). METHODS: A two-round Delphi method study was conducted to assess the consensus, within expert spine surgeons, regarding the perception of safety, the preoperative planning, the complications management and the need for vascular surgeons by performing anterior approaches (SupALIF vs LatALIF). RESULTS: A total of 14 experts voluntary were involved in the survey. From 82 sentences voted in the first round, a consensus was reached for 38 items. This included the feasibility of safe LatALIF without systematic involvement of vascular surgeon for routine cases (while for revision cases the involvement of the vascular surgeon is an appropriate option) and the appropriateness of standard MRI to evaluate the accessibility of the vascular window. Thirteen sentences reached the final consensus in the second round, whereas no consensus was reached for the remaining 20 statements. CONCLUSIONS: The Delphi study collected the consensus on several points, such as the consolidated required experience on anterior approaches, the accurate study of vascular anatomy with MRI, the management of complications and the significant reduction of the surgical times of the LatALIF if compared to SupALIF in combined procedures. Furthermore, the study group agrees that LatALIF can be performed without the need for a vascular surgeon in routine cases.

Thoracic Aortic Pseudoaneurysm Due to Screw Dislodgment Following Anterior Spinal Approach. Complex Surgical Management of Both Issues: A Case Report and Review of Literature.

A few descriptions about anterior thoracic arthrodesis causing thoracic aortic pseudoaneurysms due to late screw loosening are mentioned in the literature. We report a case that describes a hybrid approach complicated with an aortic injury when removing a screw from the aortic wall. A 57-year-old man was initially operated on for scoliosis due to poliomyelitis using dorsal thoracolumbar in situ fusion at an early age. At adulthood, the patient complained of spinal cord compression and severe myelopathy due to D9-D10 nonunion, and the patient required a double surgical approach. Almost a year later, he was diagnosed with a thoracic aneurysm caused by late screw loosening from the anterior plate. A hybrid approach was used to treat the aortic pseudoaneurysm (endograft stent) and for anterior vertebral hardware removal (rethoracotomy). Although an aortic stent was covering the aortic lumen, during the open part of the procedure, an aortic injury took place when removing the screw, requiring quick cross clamping and repair. Anterior vertebral hardware removal after a previous anterior spinal approach is a technically highly demanding procedure. As unexpected life-threatening complications can occur, this procedure should be performed in a setting with the capacity for both endovascular and open aortic repair.