Expedient Endovascular Hemorrhage Control During Anterior Lumbar Spinal Exposure Allows Procedural Completion in Rescued Patients.

OBJECTIVES: To propose a contemporary management strategy for venous injury during anterior lumbar spinal exposure that incorporates endovascular treatment. METHODS: Vein injuries suffered by patients treated in a single practice were reviewed. A treatment algorithm based on these experiences was formulated. RESULTS: Between 2015 and 2018, 914 patients received anterior access procedures for indicated lumbar interbody fusions. Of these patients, 15 (1.6%) suffered minor vascular injuries treated with manual pressure or suture repair. Four (0.4%) patients undergoing anterior lumbar spine surgery suffered major venous injuries, all of whom received the indicated spinal hardware following endovascular rescue. Primary repair was attempted in three patients before endovascular control and not at all in one. Vascular access was obtained via the bilateral femoral veins in 2 patients, unilateral femoral in one, and bilateral femoral plus right internal jugular vein in one. Stent choice included both uncovered (5, 63%) and covered stents (3, 38%). Deep venous thrombosis occurred in 2 patient's post-treatment. 1 DVT was encountered in the setting of a covered stent and 1 uncovered stent thrombosis was treated with catheter-directed lysis 4 weeks post-operatively. Ultimately, 3 patients were therapeutically anticoagulated. Mean follow-up is 13 months (range 1-36) with duplex ultrasounds available at 6 months or later in 3 of 4 patients. There is no evidence of post-thrombotic syndrome in the 2 patients that developed DVT's or in-stent stenosis in the 3 patients with available follow-up imaging. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular techniques are important adjuncts when controlling large-volume hemorrhage associated with venous tears during anterior spinal exposure. Adequate direct compression allowing occlusion balloon inflation are key steps to reduce blood loss. Covered and uncovered stents are both appropriate choices to treat injuries. Patients must be anticoagulated post-operatively and surveilled for the sequelae of venous insufficiency. With expedient hemostasis, the indicated spinal surgery may be safely completed.

Lethal hemorrhage from iliac vein rupture complicating inferior vena cava thrombosis demonstrated by post-mortem CT angiography.

Spontaneous iliac vein rupture is a rare cause of retroperitoneal hemorrhage that may present to the forensic pathologist. It has been reported in association with venous thrombosis, anatomical variants such as May-Thurner syndrome, and as a complication of a long-term indwelling IVC filter. It has a female predominance and most often occurs due to rupture of the left iliac vein. This is the first report of the use of post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) and post-mortem computed tomography angiography (PMCTA) as an adjunct to a conventional autopsy to diagnose rupture of the left iliac vein causing retroperitoneal hemorrhage arising as a complication of an inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombus. We discuss the use of PMCTA as a useful tool in the diagnosis of vascular injury and how it can be used to assist the forensic pathologist. The use of PMCT with PMCTA is an invaluable adjunct to conventional autopsy to diagnose the site of vascular rupture.

High Mortality and Venous Thromboembolism Risk Following Major Penetrating Abdominal Venous Injuries.

BACKGROUND: Penetrating injuries to the inferior vena cava and/or iliac veins are a source of hemorrhage but may also predispose patients to venous thromboembolism (VTE). We sought to determine the relationship between iliocaval injury, VTE and mortality. METHODS: The National Trauma Data Bank was queried for penetrating abdominal trauma from 2015-2017. Univariate analyses compared baseline characteristics and outcomes based on presence of iliocaval injury. Multivariable analyses determined the effect of iliocaval injury on VTE and mortality. RESULTS: Of 9,974 patients with penetrating abdominal trauma, 329 had iliocaval injury (3.3%). Iliocaval injury patients were more likely to have a firearm mechanism (83% vs. 43%, P < 0.001), concurrent head (P = 0.036), spinal cord (P < 0.001), and pelvic injuries (P < 0.001), and higher total injury severity score (median 20 vs. 8.0, P < 0.001). They were more likely to undergo 24-hr hemorrhage control surgery (69% vs. 17%, P < 0.001), but less likely to receive VTE chemoprophylaxis during admission (64% vs. 68%, P = 0.04). Of patients undergoing iliocaval surgery, 64% underwent repair, 26% ligation, and 10% unknown. Iliocaval injury patients had higher rates of VTE (12% vs. 2%), 24-hr mortality (23% vs. 2.0%) and in-hospital mortality (33% vs. 3.4%) (P < 0.001 for all). VTE rates were similar following repair (14%) and ligation (17%). Iliocaval injury patients also had higher rates of cardiac complications (10.3% vs. 1.4%), acute kidney injury (8.2% vs. 1.3%), extremity compartment syndrome (4.0 vs. 0.2%), and unplanned return to OR (7.9% vs. 2.5%) (P < 0.001 for all). In multivariable analyses, iliocaval injury was independently associated with risk of VTE (OR 2.12; 95% CI, 1.29-3.48; P = 0.003), and in-hospital mortality (OR = 9.61; 95% CI, 4.96-18.64; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Iliocaval injuries occur in <5% of penetrating abdominal trauma but are associated with more severe injury patterns and high mortality rates. Regardless of repair type, survivors should be considered high risk for developing VTE.

Inferior Vena Cava Filter Migration to the Left Internal Iliac Vein.

Inferior vena cava filter placement is an important method for managing deep venous thrombosis of the lower extremities and has a high risk of pulmonary embolism. Filter migration is rare but potentially fatal. We describe a case of migration of an inferior vena cava filter to the left internal iliac vein. The filter perforated the internal iliac vein, resulting in hemorrhagic shock, and was removed with open surgery. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of migration of an inferior vena cava filter to an internal iliac vein.

Spontaneous iliac vein rupture in the setting of a long dwelling intravenous vena cava filter.

Venous thromboembolism impacts as many as 600,000 individuals each year in the United States, leading to significant morbidity and mortality. While typically treated with anticoagulants, retrievable inferior vena cava (IVC) filters may also be used for acute prevention of pulmonary embolism. The FDA recommends removing IVC filters within 29-54 days because long dwelling filters are associated with serious complications from the filter itself, such as perforation of adjacent structures and filter fracture. We report an unusual case in which a patient had an inferior venous cava filter in place for two years before experiencing spontaneous rupture of the left iliac vein. There was no evidence of filter migration or inferior venous cava perforation. Spontaneous iliac vein ruptures are rare, with fewer than 50 reported cases, and are not typically seen with a long-dwelling IVC. This case describes a unique complication of retrievable filters and highlights the importance of retrieving filters as soon as the acute danger of pulmonary embolism has resolved.

Endovascular Repair of Iliac Vein Laceration Associated with Complex Pelvic Fracture.

BACKGROUND: Iliac vein injury associated with pelvic fracture due to blunt trauma is an uncommon and difficult diagnosis but a life-threatening condition which often requires an emergent management. Although open repair has been traditionally used as the treatment of choice in unstable patients, it is controversial, given the difficulty due to injured vessel exposure in patients with significant retroperitoneal hematoma as well as tamponade effect loss associated with laparotomy. We present a challenging case of iliac vein laceration successfully treated by placement of a self-expanding covered stent. METHODS: A 15-year-old male was hemodynamically unstable and was transferred to our emergency department after a severe polytrauma due to a motorcycle accident. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed a left external iliac vein laceration with active bleeding and retroperitoneal hematoma as well as complex pelvic and left supracondylar femoral fractures. A 13 × 100 mm self-expanding covered stent was successfully deployed through duplex ultrasound-guided percutaneous approach of both femoral veins. RESULTS: The patient's blood pressure was normalized as soon as the stent graft was placed, and then femoral fracture was reduced and fixed. At 12-month follow-up, the patient remained asymptomatic, and stent-graft patency was confirmed. CONCLUSIONS: Covered stent-graft placement can be an effective and rapid treatment for life-threatening iliac vein injury.

The methods for inserting lumbar bicortical pedicle screws from the anatomical perspective of the prevertebral great vessels.

BACKGROUND: At present, bicortical pedicle screws (BPSs) are not used clinically because they carry the potential risk of damaging the prevertebral great vessels (PGVs). The authors observed the anatomical relationship between the PGVs and simulated BPSs at different transverse screw angles (TSAs), exploring the insertion method of the BPS. METHODS: Computed tomography angiography (CTA) images from 65 adults were collected. A total of 4-5 TSAs of the BPSs were simulated on the left and right sides of L1-L5 (L1-L3: 0°, 5°, 10°, 15°; L4-L5: 0°, 5°, 10°, 15°, 20°). There were three types of distances from the anterior vertebral cortex (AVC) to the PGVs (DAVC-PGV); DAVC-PGV < 0.50 cm, DAVC-PGV ≥ 0.50 cm, and DAVC-PGV↑; these distances represented close, distant, and noncontact PGV, respectively. RESULTS: The ratio of every type of PGV was calculated, and the appropriate TSA of the BPS was recommended. In L1, the recommended left TSA of the BPS was 0°, and the ratio of the close PGV was 7.69%, while the recommended right TSA was 0°-10°, and the ratio of the close PGV was 1.54-4.62%. In L2, the recommended left TSA of the BPS was 0° and the ratio of the close PGV was 1.54%, while the recommended right TSA was 0°-15° and the ratio of the close PGV was 3.08-9.23%. In L3, the recommended left TSA was 0°-5°, and the ratio of the close PGV was 1.54-4.62%. In L4, the recommended left TSA was 0°, and the ratio of the close PGV was 4.62%. BPS use was not recommended on the right side of either L3 or L4 or on the either side of L5. CONCLUSIONS: From the anatomical perspective of the PGVs, BPSs were not suitable for insertion into every lumbar vertebra. Furthermore, the recommended methods for inserting BPSs were different in L1-L4.

The summary of experience of abdominal vascular injury related to posterior lumbar surgery.

PURPOSE: To study the clinical and pathophysiologic characteristics and summarize the experience of treatment of abdominal vascular injury related to lumbar surgery. METHODS: We analyzed patients who suffered abdominal vascular injury during lumbar surgery in our hospital retrospectively and reviewed related literature in the PUBMED database from 2002 to 2017. Combined with the existing treatment options and outcomes, we investigated further and summarized our findings. RESULTS: With the data from our hospital, four cases of injuries were included, i.e., left common iliac artery and vein (CIA and CIV), left internal iliac artery, and inferior vena cava. Almost all of the patients (one exception) manifesting unstable haemodynamics were primarily treated by traditional vessel suture. After treatment, two patients died eventually, while the others recovered well at follow-up. With the reported data, 77 patients with the most frequently type of laceration (58.4%) were included. For vascular laceration, unstable haemodynamics was diagnosed in most of the patients (88.9%); CIA and CIV accounted for the all the most common patients (78.7%). Extracted from these data, traditional surgical method was selected to repair laceration prevalently (86.7%), while arteriovenous fistula and pseudoaneurysm were treated with an interventional procedure. Negative outcomes included two deaths, two suffered lower limb deep vein thrombosis, and two suffered graft infection. CONCLUSIONS: Different treatment choices should be conducted depending on different injury characteristics and patients' condition. Moreover, early recognition and prompt treatment are critical components to successful rescue. When a vascular injury is suspected, ultrasonography and positive abdominal exploration are recommended together with unified leadership in the rescue team.

Isolated iliac vascular injuries and outcome of repair versus ligation of isolated iliac vein injury.

OBJECTIVE: The incidence of morbidity and mortality for iliac vascular injuries in the literature are likely overestimated owing to associated injuries. Data for isolated iliac vascular injuries are very limited. No large studies have reported the incidence of morbidity for repair versus ligation of isolated iliac vein injuries. METHODS: Patients in the National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB; 2007-2012) with at least one iliac vascular injury were analyzed. Isolated iliac vessels were defined as cases with Abbreviated Injury Scale severity score of greater than 3 for extraabdominal injuries and an Organ Injury Scale grade of greater than 3 for intraabdominal injuries. RESULTS: Overall, 6262 iliac vascular injuries (2809 penetrating, 3453 blunt) were identified in 271,076 patients with abdominal trauma (2.3%). There were 3379 patients (1841 penetrating, 1538 blunt) with isolated iliac vascular injuries (1.2%) and 557 patients (514 penetrating, 43 blunt) with combined iliac artery and vein injuries (0.2%). The 30-day mortality rate was 16.5% for isolated iliac vein injury, 19.3% for isolated iliac artery injury, and 48.7% for combined isolated iliac artery and vein injury. The 30-day mortality rate was 23.4% for isolated iliac vascular injuries compared with 39.0% for nonisolated iliac vascular injuries (P < .001). Patients with isolated iliac vein injuries had morbidity rates of deep venous thrombosis (repair, 14.6%; ligation, 14.1%; P = .875), pulmonary embolism (repair, 1.8%; ligation, 0.5%; P = .38), fasciotomy (repair, 9.3%; ligation, 14.6%; P = .094), amputation (repair, 1.8%; ligation, 2.6%; P = .738), acute kidney injury (repair, 5.8%; ligation, 4.7%; P = .627). Multivariate logistic regression demonstrated that ligation of isolated iliac vein injuries had an odds ratio of 2.2 for mortality compared with repair (95% confidence interval, 1.08-4.66). CONCLUSIONS: Isolated iliac vascular injuries are associated with a high incidence of mortality, especially for combined venous and arterial injury, but mortality is significantly lower than in patients with nonisolated iliac vascular injuries. In patients with isolated iliac vein injuries, mortality was higher in patients who underwent ligation compared with repair; however, the rates of deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, fasciotomy, amputation, and acute kidney injury were not different between the treatment groups. These data lend credence to the assessment that repair of iliac vein injuries is preferable to ligation whenever feasible.

Posttraumatic Reconstruction of External Iliac and Common Femoral Veins Using Femoral Vein Interposition Autograft.

Posttraumatic reconstruction of large lower extremity veins is a challenging and rarely performed procedure. We describe a case of an 18-year-old male traffic accident victim presenting with extensive venous injury of the right inguinal region including external iliac vein and common femoral vein requiring immediate ligation. Owing to life-threatening phlegmasia cerulea dolens, venous reconstruction was successfully performed using an femoral vein interposition autograft from the contralateral lower limb.

Iatrogenic Major Venous Injury Is Associated with Increased Morbidity of Aortic Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Major venous injury during open aortic reconstruction though uncommon often result in sudden and massive blood loss resulting in increased morbidity and mortality. This study details the etiology, management, and outcome of such injuries. METHODS: A retrospective review of 945 patients (1981-2017) undergoing aortic reconstruction from 2 midsized (350 bed each) teaching hospitals was conducted. Seven hundred twenty-three patients (76.5%) underwent open abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair/iliac aneurysm repair, 222 patients (23.5%) underwent aortofemoral grafting (AFG). Patients sustaining major venous injury (sudden loss of more than 500 mL of blood) during major aortic reconstruction were studied. The number of units of packed red blood cells transfused, location of injured vessel, type of repair, postoperative morbidity, and mortality were collected in our vascular registry on a continuous basis. All patients identified with iliac vein/inferior vena cava/femoral vein injury had follow-up noninvasive venous examination of the lower extremities. RESULTS: Eighteen major venous injuries (1.9%) occurred during aortic reconstruction in 17 patients (1 patient had 2 major venous injuries): IVC (n = 4), iliac vein (n = 10), left renal vein (n = 4, this includes a posterior retroaortic renal vein injury n = 1). Of the 18 major venous injuries, 7 occurred during open AAA repair for ruptured AAA and another 9 occurred during repair of intact AAA (P = 0.001), 2 venous injuries occurred after AFG, and 1 after primary AFG (P = 0.05). Using multivariate regression analysis, periarterial inflammation had significant association with major venous injury (P < 0.001). The presence of associated iliac aneurysm with abdominal aortic aneurysm also increased the incidence of major venous injury during AAA surgery (P = 0.05). Two patients (11.8%) died, one from uncontrolled bleeding due to tear of right common iliac vein during ruptured AAA repair and second patient from disseminated intravascular complication following repair of ruptured AAA. Intraoperative transfusion requirements were 3-28 units, (median 8 units). Three of 9 (33%) surviving patients developed iliofemoral venous thrombosis following repair of iliac/femoral vein injury. CONCLUSIONS: Major venous injury during aortic reconstructions occurs more commonly during the repair of ruptured AAA and redo AFG. Following repair of iliac/femoral vein injury, surveillance for possible deep venous thrombosis by duplex imaging should be considered.

Primary Endovascular Repair of Ilio-Caval Injury Encountered during Anterior Exposure Spine Surgery: Evolution of the Paradigm.

BACKGROUND: Rates of major venous injury are now being reported at between 1% and 15%. Risk factors for injury include the previous spine surgery, level of exposure, and number of retractors used. To review and describe the evolution of our use of stent grafts for repair of life-threatening ilio-caval injuries encountered during anterior exposure lumbosacral (L-S) spine surgery from rescue utilization after failed direct repair to preferred modality using occlusion balloons and covered stents akin to the modern management of the ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) with endovascular aneurysm repair. METHODS: Five-year retrospective review of all anterior and retroperitoneal spine procedures was performed at our institution. RESULTS: One hundred two procedures were done. Major ilio-caval injury occurred in 3/102 (2.9%) cases. Average blood loss per case decreased as our approach evolved from unsuccessful direct open repair with percutaneous endovascular rescue to primary percutaneous endovascular repair. All treated patients had patent venous repair in short-term follow-up with computed tomography angiography. CONCLUSIONS: Identification and rapid direct repair of major ilio-caval injuries during anterior approach spine surgery can be extremely challenging. When control of these potentially fatal injuries is required, our choice is primary endovascular repair using the modern techniques for endovascular management of ruptured AAA with endovascular aneurysm repair.

Stent Migration during Endovascular Treatment of Traumatic Arteriovenous Fistula following Lumbar Spine Surgery.

We report the endovascular treatment of an arteriovenous fistula involving the right common iliac artery (CIA) and left common iliac vein in a 48-year-old male patient who had previously undergone lumbar spine disc surgery. A balloon expandable covered stent was deployed in the CIA which got partially dislodged into the aorta during attempted postdilatation of the stent. The proximal end of the stent was secured in place with an inflated balloon in the aorta, introduced from the contralateral iliac artery, allowing successful retrieval and dilatation of the stent graft through the ipsilateral femoral vascular access. The stent migration was managed without complications, and the fistula was successfully occluded.

Anatomical variations of the obturator veins and their surgical implications.

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION: The obturator veins and their network contribute to major bleeding complications during gynaecologic surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The anatomical variations of the obturator veins were studied on 106 patients in which a thorough bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy was performed. RESULTS: Symmetrical drainage on right and left sides was found in 75 cases: only in internal iliac vein in 32 cases, both in external iliac vein and internal in 41 cases, and only in external in two cases (so called "pubic vein"). In 31 procedures, asymmetric drainage was found between the two sides: one side in internal, the other side both in internal and external in 25 patients; in three patients, in external on one side and in both internal and external on the other; and in external on one side and in internal on the other side in one patient. CONCLUSIONS: Anatomical variations of the obturator veins appear quite often.

Iliac Vascular Injury in the Absence of a Pelvic Fracture.

This case study presents a rare iliac vascular injury in the absence of a pelvic fracture. A 36-year-old man sustained a blunt injury after being stuck by a motor vehicle. The only positive computed tomographic finding was in the pelvis that showed a 4 × 2-cm left retroperitoneal soft-tissue collection, appearing to encompass the left common and left external iliac veins. A pelvic venogram was obtained on Day 2 revealing a focal injury to the left external iliac vein with 60% narrowing. The patient was treated with clopidogrel and acetylsalicylic acid and discharged from the hospital to his home 3 days later. A follow-up pelvic venogram in 6 weeks later showed complete healing of previously visualized left external iliac venous injury without any residual stenosis.

[First experience with intravascular ultrasonographic examination in diagnosis of post-traumatic obstruction of deep veins]. / Pervyi opyt vnutrisosudistogo ul'trazvukovogo issledovaniia v diagnostike posttromboticheskoi obstruktsii glubokikh ven.

Intravascular ultrasonography (IVUS) is a highly effective method of diagnosis of post-thrombotic obstructions. Its possibilities by determining the degree and extension of obstructions of deep veins are superior to those of not only non-invasive methods of examination (ultrasonography, CT and MRI) but of phlebography whose results until recently were considered fundamental in diagnosis of the disease concerned. Limited possibilities of phlebography often lead to diagnostic errors when determining the degree and extension of post-thrombotic obstructions. Intravascular ultrasonography makes it possible to obtain a maximally objective picture of the degree of intravascular alterations in post-thrombotic diseases, as well as to determine the indications for performing balloon dilatation and stenting of deep veins. First experience in using intravascular ultrasonography in the Clinic of the Institute of Experimental Medicine confirmed these provisions. A total of 15 patients diagnosed with post-thrombotic disease while examination were subjected to antegrade transfemoral phlebography in the direct and lateral projections and IVUS. Significant post-thrombotic obstruction was revealed by phlebography in 3 (20%) of the 15 patients and confirmed by the findings of IVUS. In 12 (80%) patients only carrying out IVUS made it possible to detect pronounced obstruction of veins (more than 50% of its diameter) remaining undiagnosed by phlebography. Unnoticed in phlebography turned out to be May-Thurner syndrome in a female patient. Compression of the left common iliac vein by the right common iliac artery exceeding during systole 70% of the initial diameter of the vein was also revealed while performing IVUS. At the same time phlebography remains an indispensable method of examination while assessing collateral blood flow, thus making it possible to recommend its performing in combination with IVUS for obtaining the most complete notion on post-thrombotic alterations in deep veins of the inferior vena cava system.

Use of Aortic Endograft for Repair of Intraoperative Iliocaval Injury during Anterior Spine Exposure.

Vascular injury during anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) is a well-documented occurrence. Most vascular injuries continue to be managed with direct open repair. We report the outcome of a 61-year-old woman who experienced inferior vena cava and left common iliac vein injury during a difficult exposure for multilevel ALIF. The distal cava and common iliac vein were repaired with a Gore Excluder cuff and limb. The endovascular repair permitted control of the injury without more morbid maneuvers such as iliac artery transection. Thus endovascular repair of intraoperative caval injury is a valuable option in emergent situations with low morbidity and good durability.

The occurrence of vascular displacement into intervertebral disc space following the compensated sagittal imbalance of the spine: a case report and review of literature.

BACKGROUND: It is known that sagittal compensating mechanisms are created for counteracting sagittal imbalance problems; however, they can sometimes be associated with incidents which affect the plan of management. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to report a case of the occurrence of common iliac vessel displacement into the intervertebral disc space following one of the spinal compensatory mechanisms. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The authors demonstrated this case by showing the patient history, physical examination, imaging studies, and treatment strategy as well as by reviewing some related literature. RESULTS: An 81-year-old woman presented with a long history of low back pain with claudication. An upright plain radiograph and flexion-extension study demonstrated a progressive local thoracolumbar kyphosis and losing of lumbar lordosis with significant widening of the intervertebral disc space of L4-L5. An MRI scan and 3D volume rendering spiral computed tomography (3D-CT) revealed an abnormal content which was depicted as common iliac vessels inside the disc space of L4-L5. Consequently, a rare case of the occurrence of common iliac vessel displacement into the intervertebral disc space following one of the spinal compensatory mechanisms was reported. CONCLUSION: The occurrence of vascular displacement into the intervertebral disc space related to lumbar hyperextension, as a compensating mechanism, is a rare incident but can occur. Consequently, when this mechanism presents with abnormal widening of the intervertebral disc space, especially at the low lumbar level, it should raise surgeon's concern about the probability of vascular injury when performing a disc procedure. Thorough investigation with imaging studies and selecting the optimum surgical treatment are warranted.

Direct lesion and repair of a common iliac vein during XLIF approach.

PURPOSE: Description of a case of direct intraoperative lesion and repair of a major vascular injury of common iliac vein during an extreme lateral interbody fusion L4-L5 procedure. METHODS: A 69-year-old female who was operated for L4-L5 spondilolysthesis suffered a major vascular injury of a vein. The high cava bifurcation and inadequate pre-operative analysis of the radiological documentation resulted in the lesion. The lesion was successfully repaired and the patient did not suffer post-operative sequelae. RESULTS: The repair was successful although the index spine procedure was not ended. Detailed pre-operative planning, based on radiological examination of vascular structures, should be a mandatory step prior to this specific surgical approach. CONCLUSION: Although safer than anterior retroperitoneal approach, extreme lateral interbody fusion still bears risk for major vascular injury.

[Risk of death in patients with unstable pelvic fracture and large vessel injury]. / Riziko úmrtí pacienta s nestabilní zlomeninou pánve a poranením velkých cév.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to provide accurate data regarding the incidence of large vessel injury as part of pelvic trauma in patients treated during a 12-year period. METHODS: In total, 715 patients admitted and treated for pelvic fractures from 2001-2012 were analyzed. Data on large vessel injuries (aorta, inferior vena cava, common iliac artery and vein) reported in perioperative or autopsy findings were obtained from the patient database. The statistical significance of achieved results was tested using contingency tables (chi-square test of independence or Fisher factorial test). The significance level for the calculated tests was chosen to be 5%. RESULTS: Sixty six (9%) patients died in the first hours after admission, 43 (6%) of them prior to surgery. Seventy (10%) underwent urgent surgeries, 47 (7%) of whom survived and 23 (3%) died. A large vessel injury in the pelvic region was detected in 13 (2%) patients. In the surviving surgical patients, a serious injury of pelvic venous plexus, as the only source of bleeding, was found only once (2%), while in patients who deceased post-surgically and pre-surgically, serious vascular injury in the pelvic region was diagnosed in 5 and 7 patients in both subgroups (22% and 41%, resp.). This difference was significantly higher in comparison with surviving patients (p=0.0002 and p=0.0109, resp.). CONCLUSION: The incidence of large vessel injury with severe bleeding associated with pelvic trauma was low in our study; however, the risk of death in patients with this injury was significantly higher. The results of our study support the hypothesis that in most patients a large artery or vein injury in combination with massive bleeding from the venous plexus due to a dislocated pelvic fracture results in death even before arrival of emergency services. This hypothesis could be verified in a study including also autopsy findings in persons who died even before hospital admission. KEY WORDS: unstable pelvic injury vascular injury risk of death.