Reducing aneurysm sac growth and secondary interventions following endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair by preemptive coil embolization of the inferior mesenteric artery and lumbar arteries.

OBJECTIVE: Type II endoleak (EL-2) is the most common complication following endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR), leading to continued sac growth and potential rupture. In this study, we examined the association between patency of the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) and lumbar arteries (LAs) with respect to sac growth. The effect of preemptive embolization of the IMA and/or LAs on the need for secondary interventions for sac growth post-EVAR was also evaluated. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed on consecutive patients who underwent EVAR for non-ruptured, infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) from January 2012 to December 2020. A select group of patients underwent preemptive embolization of the IMA and/or LA. Patients with any types I, III, or IV endoleaks were excluded. Patency of the IMA and LA on preoperative computed tomography angiogram (CTA) was evaluated on TeraRecon workstation. All secondary interventions to treat EL-2 were recorded. Sac growth was defined as centerline axial diameter increase of ≥5 mm on follow-up CTA. RESULTS: A total of 300 patients (mean age, 74 ± 8.5 years; 83.7% male) underwent EVAR. Ninety-nine patients had preemptive embolization of the IMA and/or LA. Mean follow-up of the cohort was 59.3 ± 30.5 months. Thirty-six patients (12%) demonstrated sac growth on follow-up; 12 of these (33.3%) had preemptive embolization. The median time until detection of sac growth was 28.8 months (interquartile range, 15.2-46.5 months), with a mean growth of 10.1 ± 6.4 mm. Sac growth was significantly associated with presence of EL-2: 27 of 36 (75%) with EL-2 vs 9 of 36 (25%) without EL-2 (P < .001). Patients with sac growth had a higher mean total number (2.6 ± 1.5) of patent lower LAs (L3, L4) compared with those without (2.0 ± 1.4; P = .03). Patency of L1, L2, and L3 LAs were not associated with sac growth. However, patency of at least one L4 LA was significantly associated with sac growth (14.8% vs 7.7%; P = .04). The highest incidence of sac growth (17.6%) was seen when both IMA and L4 LA were patent; significantly different from the lowest incidence (5.3%) when both were occluded preoperatively (P = .018). Preemptive coiling of the IMA and/or LA significantly reduced the need for post-EVAR secondary intervention for sac growth. Freedom from post-EVAR secondary intervention was achieved in 92 of 99 (92.9%) pre-EVAR coiled patients vs 163 of 201 (81.5%) patients who did not undergo pre-EVAR coiling (P = .009). CONCLUSIONS: Preemptive coil embolization of the IMA and LAs, especially L4 LA, reduces the need for secondary interventions for sac growth, potentially improving the long-term durability of EVAR.

Midterm outcomes of side branch embolization and endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effects of total side branch embolization at endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) for abdominal aortic aneurysms on the incidences of persistent type 2 endoleak (pT2EL), changes in sac diameter, and reintervention. METHODS: Between 2013 and 2021, all patients who underwent primary EVAR with a few exceptions were included. Side branch embolization was considered during EVAR for inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) or IMA plus lumbar artery (LA) when feasible for contrast agent use. Outcomes measured were pT2EL, sac diameters, reintervention, ruptures, and aneurysm-related mortality. Radiation exposure and safety outcomes were also reported. RESULTS: Among 732 patients who underwent EVAR, 616 (84.2%) were included. Of the 616 patients, 223 (36.2%) did not undergo side branch embolization (NO-E), whereas 228 (37.0%) underwent IMA only (IMA-E) and 165 (26.8%) underwent IMA+LA including median sacral artery (IMA+LA-E). The technical success rate of IMA and LA embolization was 97.0% and 74.7%, respectively. Crude incidences of pT2EL were significantly different from 6 months through 3 years (NO-E, 27.8%; IMA-E, 31.7%; IMA+LA-E, 9.4% at 3 years; P = .007). In the multivariate analysis adjusted for background differences, the incidences of pT2EL were significantly higher in the NO-E (odds ratio [OR], 3.21; 95% confidence intervals [CIs], 1.08-9.57; P = .004) and IMA-E (OR, 4.86; 95% CIs, 1.68-14.11; P = .004) compared with the IMA+LA-E group. Similarly, any reintervention until 3 years was significantly frequent in the NO-E (OR, 5.26; 95% CIs, 1.76-15.70; P = .003) and IMA-E group (OR, 4.19; 95% CIs, 1.38-12.67; P = .01). Surgical conversion and secondary rupture were seen only in 1 patient without any aneurysm-related mortality. Percent sac shrinkage from the baseline was significantly promoted in the IMA+LA group (NO-E, 12.1% ± 16.6%; IMA-E, 11.4% ± 16.7%; IMA+LA-E, 18.0% ± 18.8%; P = .047). Fluoroscopy time was significantly longer in the IMA+LA-E group (NO-E, 60.2 ± 47.4 minutes; IMA-E, 59.3 ± 39.5 minutes; IMA+LA-E, 75.5 ± 42.8 minutes; P < .0001), and so do the dose-area product (NO-E, 424.6 ± 333.4 Gy cm2; IMA-E, 477.7 ± 342.4 Gy cm2; IMA+LA-E, 631.8 ± 449.1 Gy cm2; P < .0001). No embolization-related complications or radiation-related adverse events were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: Pre-emptive embolization of IMA, LAs, and median sacral artery at the time of EVAR reduced the incidences of pT2EL and any reintervention and promoted sac shrinkage during the follow-up period of 3 years.

Origin of median sacral artery with fourth pair of lumbar artery - an alert for spine surgeons and interventionalists: A case report and mini literature review.

The median sacral artery (MSA) is the single unpaired dorsal branch of the abdominal aorta. The present case describes the relatively unusual origin of the median sacral artery in common with the fourth pair of lumbar arteries via a common trunk in a 74-year-old males' cadaver. Unusual common trunk is prone for iatrogenic injury in surgeries of the lumbar and pelvic region. Owing to the deep seated nature of MSA close to the periosteum of lumbar vertebrae and sacrum, detection of accidental rupture of MSA and ligation thereof becomes a difficult task. MSA is also increasingly being utilized for intra-arterial embolization of pelvic tumours. The proximal portion of the common origin may at times undergo cone shaped dilatation which is referred to as infundibulum or infundibular dilatation and can also transform into aneurysm later. Knowledge of this variation is imperative for spine and pelvic surgeons to avoid unwanted complications.

An updated systematic review and meta-analysis of pre-emptive aortic side branch embolization to prevent type II endoleaks after endovascular aneurysm repair.

OBJECTIVE: Pre-emptive embolization of aortic side branches may be effective in preventing type II endoleaks (T2EL) based on a previous systematic review and meta-analysis by our group. Data up to 2019 was, however, only based on retrospective studies. The aim of the current study was to update the meta-analysis and evaluate the current evidence on this treatment strategy. METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed with the same keywords and strategies used in the previous study. The complementary search included all articles published from January 1, 2019, through May 29, 2022. The incidence of aneurysm sac growth was the primary outcome of interest. RESULTS: Four new studies were identified, including one randomized controlled study and one nationwide registry-based retrospective study. Overall, the incidence of sac size enlargement was 4.3% in the embolization group compared with 6.8% in the control group (odds ratio [OR], 0.38; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.26-0.55), the incidence of T2EL was 19.7% vs 37.4% (OR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.30-0.47), and the incidence of reintervention for T2EL was 1.2% vs 11.2% (OR, 0.12; 95% CI, 0.06-0.23). CONCLUSIONS: Current evidence confirms lower incidence of aneurysm sac growth, T2EL, and reinterventions when pre-emptive embolization of aortic side branches is performed in conjunction with endovascular aneurysm repair, compared with no embolization. However, a higher level of evidence is still required to support a broad change of practice, including data on cost-effectiveness and on the potential effect on rupture.

Modified fourth lumbar artery local perforator flap: an alternative for reconstruction of nonhealing lumbosacral spinal defects.

BACKGROUND: The reconstruction of nonhealing lumbosacral spinal defects remains a challenge, with limited options. The aim of this article was to review the authors' technique and experience with the modified fourth lumbar artery local perforator (MFLALP) flap for the coverage of nonhealing lumbosacral defects after spinal surgery. METHODS: Between August 2012 and May 2021, we reviewed all MFLALP flaps performed for lumbosacral spinal defects. Patient demographics, wound aetiologies, surgical characteristics, and outcomes were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: A total of 31 MFLALP flaps were performed on 24 patients during the research period. The median flap size was 152 cm2 (range, 84-441 cm2). All flaps survived successfully, although there were two cases of minor complications. One patient had a haematoma and required additional debridement and skin grafting at 1 week postoperatively. The other patient suffered wound dehiscence at the donor site at 2 weeks postoperatively and required reclosure. The follow-up time ranged from 6 months to 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: The MFLALP flap has the advantages of a reliable blood supply, sufficient tissue bulk and low complication rate. This technique is an alternative option for the reconstruction of nonhealing lumbosacral spinal defects.

An anatomical study of the origins courses and distributions of the transverse branches of lumbar arteries at the L1-L4 levels.

Pseudoaneurysms of the lumbar arteries following transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) are rare postoperative complications that usually occur around the transverse process. However, there are few detailed descriptions of the transverse branch and other branches of the dorsal branches at the L1-L4 disks. STUDY DESIGN: Ten adult embalmed cadavers were anatomically studied. OBJECTIVES: The purposes of the study were to describe the vascular distribution of the dorsal branches, especially the transverse branches, at the L1-L4 levels and provide information useful for TLIF. METHODS: Ten embalmed cadavers studied after their arterial systems were injected with red latex. The quantity, origin, pathway, distribution range and diameter of the branches were recorded and photographed. RESULTS: The transverse branch appeared in all 80 intervertebral foramina. The transverse branch was divided into 2 types: In type 1, the arteries divided into superior branches and inferior branches; the arteries in type 2 divided into 3 branches (superior, intermedius and inferior branches). CONCLUSIONS: The transverse branches of the dorsal arteries are common structures from L1 to L4, and 2 types of transverse branches were found. A thorough understanding of the dorsal branches, especially the transverse branches of the lumbar artery, may be very important for reducing both intraoperative bleeding during the surgery and the occurrence of pseudoaneurysms after transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion.

Lumbar Artery Injury Related to Percutaneous Pedicle Screw Insertion.

A 75-year-old woman underwent L4-L5 lateral interbody fusion for L4-5 foraminal stenosis with the use of percutaneous pedicle screws. On the day after the surgery, she was in shock. Emergency contrast-enhanced CT showed active extravasation from the 4th lumbar artery with a transverse process fracture. A radiologist performed a successful transarterial embolization, and the patient then began walking training on the 4th day post-surgery. Close attention should be paid to the insertion of a percutaneous pedicle screw, as it may cause a lumbar artery injury; in such a case, transarterial embolization is the preferred treatment.

Type II endoleak and aortic aneurysm sac shrinkage after preemptive embolization of aneurysm sac side branches.

OBJECTIVE: Type II endoleak (T2EL) is the most common endoleak after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). Its optimal management has been controversially discussed. Thus, preliminary selective embolization of aneurysm sac side branches (ASSBs) has been adopted to prevent T2EL. Our goal was to determine the rate of T2EL and the diameter decrease of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) after EVAR performed after preemptive embolization of ASSBs. METHODS: From September 2014 to September 2019, 139 patients with AAAs underwent percutaneous ASSB embolization before EVAR. Follow-up imaging studies were performed at 1 and 6 months and annually thereafter. The end points included freedom from T2EL, AAA sac shrinkage, T2EL-related reinterventions, and all-cause mortality. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 23 ± 16 months (range, 1-61 months). The patients had had a median of five (range, one to eight) patent ASSBs found on preoperative imaging studies. After completion of embolization, 76.4% of the initially patent ASSBs were occluded, with no major procedure-related complications. Follow-up imaging studies showed T2ELs in seven patients (5%), with an aneurysm sac increase seen in six of these patients. The number of ASSBs remaining patent after embolization was the only discriminative factor in patients with and without T2EL. Six T2EL-related reinterventions were performed during follow-up. Most patients (n = 91; 86.7%) had experienced aneurysm sac shrinkage, and the mean diameter reduction was 9.2 ± 7.7 mm (P < .001) in all patients with follow-up data available. One aneurysm-related death occurred within 30 days after EVAR. CONCLUSIONS: Preemptive embolization of ASSBs for patients with AAAs is safe and effective in preventing T2ELs after EVAR. Aneurysm sac shrinkage was observed in a high proportion of patients.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of prophylactic aortic side branch embolization to prevent type II endoleaks.

OBJECTIVE: Type II endoleaks are the most common type of endoleak after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) and may cause late sac expansion and rupture. To prevent this, prophylactic embolization of aortic side branches has been suggested. The aim of this review was to assess the current evidence for this prophylactic treatment and its association with sac size enlargement as well as rate of and reintervention for type II endoleak. METHODS: This was a systematic review and meta-analysis following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The MEDLINE and Scopus databases were used to search for related articles until March 2019. After screening, original studies reporting outcome comparing patients having prophylactic embolization with those undergoing EVAR without prophylactic embolization were included. An assessment of the quality of the included studies as well as data extraction was performed by two independent observers. Statistical analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.3 (The Nordic Cochrane Center, Copenhagen, Denmark). RESULTS: There were 3777 publications identified. After elimination of duplicate entries and review of titles and abstracts, 13 retrospective cohort studies including 1427 patients comparing prophylactic embolization with standard EVAR therapy were identified. No randomized trials were available. Five of these 13 studies reported sac growth, with a frequency of 7.4% (14/90) in the embolization group vs 13.4% in controls (odds ratio [OR], 0.54; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.29-1). The rate of type II endoleak was 18.5% (100/540) in the embolization group vs 38.6% in the control group (342/887; OR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.26-0.44). Based on 10 studies, the rate of reintervention was 1.5% (7/468) in the embolization group vs 12.4% (80/646) in the control group (OR, 0.12; 95% CI, 0.06-0.24). Nine of these 13 studies showed that technical success of inferior mesenteric artery and lumbar artery embolization was 82.3% and 69.1%, respectively. Regarding complications, 10 of 108 patients (9.3%) in one study reported nonspecific abdominal pain after embolization, and all resolved with overnight rehydration. Only one patient, who previously had right hemicolectomy, died after inferior mesenteric artery embolization of ischemic colitis. CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review and meta-analysis suggests that prophylactic aortic side branch embolization may be associated with lower rate of sac enlargement, incidence of type II endoleaks, and reinterventions. However, high-quality unbiased studies are lacking in this field, and this review and meta-analysis may be affected by selection bias and residual confounders remaining in the retrospective studies. To conclude whether prophylactic embolization should be routinely performed, a prospective, randomized trial is required.

Lumbar artery pseudoaneurysm: a rare case of delayed onset incomplete cauda equina syndrome following transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion.

BACKGROUND: Cauda equina syndrome following transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) is very rare, and the causes implicated include inadequate decompression, retained disc fragments, epidural haematoma, gel foams, fat pad grafts, retained sponges, intradural masses and ischaemia of conus. This is a rare case report of pseudoaneurysm of dorsal branch of lumbar artery presenting with delayed onset incomplete cauda equina syndrome following TLIF. OBJECTIVE: To describe the very rare case of lumbar artery pseudoaneurysm causing delayed onset incomplete cauda equina syndrome following TLIF and its management with endovascular embolisation. METHOD: An 80-year-old female presented with incomplete cauda equina syndrome on 14th post-operative day following TLIF. On evaluation, computed tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed haematoma with heterogeneous signal intensity, which was pulsatile in ultrasonogram. Doppler and contrast-enhanced CT revealed pseudoaneurysm from posterior branch of left lumbar L4 artery, which was managed with endovascular embolisation. RESULT: After endovascular embolisation, the patient had immediate relief from radiating pain in left lower limb and regained full motor power and perianal sensation at the end of 3 weeks. Post-procedure ultrasonography done on the tenth day revealed complete resolution of the pseudoaneurysm. CONCLUSION: This case presentation shows the necessity of diagnosing epidural haematomas due to vascular aneurysm in patients with post-operative radiculopathy and neurodeficit and the effectiveness of endovascular embolisation in treating such a threatening condition.

Incisional lumbar hernia after the use of a lumbar artery perforator flap for breast reconstruction.

Autologous breast reconstruction with a perforator flap has become increasingly popular. The free lumbar artery perforator (LAP) flap has been described as a good alternative for autologous breast reconstruction. The LAP flap is a perforator flap based on a single pedicle. This flap is easy to harvest, with minimal donor-site morbidity. We present a case of a lumbar incisional hernia after LAP flap breast reconstruction in a 53-year-old patient. The patient had been treated with a bilateral mastectomy for cancer. Secondary breast reconstruction was performed with a bilateral DIEP flap. Reoperation was necessary because of a failed DIEP flap at the left side. Reconstruction was performed with a free LAP flap. The patient was referred for a right lumbar incisional hernia at the donor-site of the LAP flap. Open repair was performed with a retroperitoneal mesh. The thoracolumbar fascia was closed in with a running suture. Lumbar artery perforator is a perforator flap based on a single pedicle. Although it does not sacrifice any muscle and seems to be associated with minimal donor-site morbidity, we present the first report of a lumbar incisional hernia repair after LAP flap breast reconstruction treated using an open retroperitoneal mesh repair.

Effect of diminished flow in rabbit lumbar arteries on intervertebral disc matrix changes using MRI T2-mapping and histology.

BACKGROUND: Impaired lumbar artery flow has been reported in clinical and epidemiological studies to be associated with low back pain and lumbar disc degeneration. However, it has not been experimentally demonstrated that impaired lumbar artery flow directly induces intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration by affecting IVD matrix metabolism. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether ligation of the lumbar artery can affect degenerative changes in the rabbit IVD. METHODS: New Zealand White rabbits (n = 20) were used in this study. Under general anesthesia, the third and fourth lumbar arteries were double-ligated using vascular clips. The blood flow to the L3/L4 disc (cranial disc) was reduced by ligation of the third lumbar artery and that of the L5/L6 disc (caudal disc) by ligation of the fourth lumbar artery. The blood flow to the L4/L5 disc (bilateral disc) was decreased by ligation of both the third and fourth lumbar arteries. The L2/L3 disc was used as the control. Disc height was radiographically monitored biweekly until 12 weeks after surgery. The rabbits were sacrificed at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after surgery and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T2-mapping, histology and immunohistochemistry were assessed. RESULTS: Lumbar artery ligation did not induce significant changes in disc height between control and ischemic discs (cranial, bilateral and caudal discs) during the 12-week experimental period. T2-values of ischemic discs had no significant trend to be lower than those of the control L2/L3 discs. Histologically, Safranin-O staining changed following ligation of corresponding IVD lumbar arteries. Histological grading scores for disc degeneration, which correlated significantly with MRI T2-values, had significant changes after the surgery. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that the ligation of lumbar arteries significantly affected a change in the percentage of HIF-1α immunoreactive cells of ischemia discs compared to that of control discs four weeks after the surgery (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The MRI and histology results suggest that diminished flow in lumbar arteries induce mild changes in the extracellular matrix metabolism of rabbit IVDs. These matrix changes, however, were not progressive and differed from the degenerative disc changes seen in the process of human IVD degeneration.

A distraction technique using reduction multi-axial screws for open reduction of high-grade lumbar posterior dislocation:a case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: L3 vertebral fractures with posterior dislocation are rare and usually secondary to high-energy trauma. To assess the outcome of a valuable distraction technique, using long-tail multiaxial pedicle screw which we have employed in reduction of L3 vertebral fracture with posterior dislocation, and emphasize the importance of preoperative blood vessel evaluation. CASE PRESENTATION: A 47-year-old patient fell from a height of 4 m and was paralyzed. Computed tomography scan revealed a three-column ligamentous injury with posterior fracture-dislocation of the L3 vertebral body. Computed tomography angiography showed that the third lumbar artery was ruptured without active bleeding. The patient underwent posterior approach with reduction, transpedicular fixation, and posterolateral fusion with autologous bone graft. Finally, Vertebral reduction and sagittal balance were achieved and patients recovered well after operation. CONCLUSION: Preoperative blood vessel evaluation is very important to avoid massive bleeding during the surgery, and the standard technique which can achieve good reduction is easy to understand, perform, and is reproducible.

A fatal and unusual iatrogenic fourth right lumbar artery injury complicating wrong-level hemilaminectomy: a case report and literature review.

The authors describe an unusual case of a fatal iatrogenic fourth lumbar artery injury during left hemilaminectomy in a 38-year-old woman. At autopsy, gross inspection revealed hemoperitoneum with 1,800 ml of free blood and massive retroperitoneal extravasation. A laceration with irregular and jagged margins was detected on the wall of the fourth right lumbar artery. The autopsy and the post-mortem TC investigations demonstrated that wrong-level hemilaminectomy was performed for the herniated disc.

Anatomical variations of the principal nutrient pedicle for iliac crest graft: the ilio-lumbar artery.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to observe the origin, course, length, diameter and termination of the ilio-lumbar artery (ILA) and its variations in south Indian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was carried out in 34 sides in 19 cadavers (R-18, L-16) used for routine dissection for undergraduate students during the period of 2017-2018 in Department of Anatomy, JIPMER, Puducherry. On each side of the pelvis, the origin, length, diameter, course of the ILA and its relations to the surrounding anatomical structures was observed and documented. RESULTS: Out of 34 formalin-fixed pelvis halves of human cadavers, the ILA originated from the common iliac artery (CIA), the trunk of the internal iliac artery (IIA) and posterior division of IIA in around 0%, 61.76%, and 38.23% of the cases, respectively. In all the cadavers, the ILA passes in between the obturator nerve anteriorly and the lumbosacral trunk posteriorly and ILA terminates by giving iliac and lumbar arteries medial to the psoas major muscle. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, we observed that the mean distance between the origin of ILA and the bifurcation of the CIA is significantly less than the study done previously. The knowledge about the variations in the origin, course, length, diameter, and termination of ILA is very important to the surgeon to avoid iatrogenic injury during surgeries in lumbosacral region and moreover, it will be easy to access the ILA for clamping or embolization. A similar study can be done with more sample size in different population to increase the knowledge base regarding ILA anatomy.

Spontaneous lumbar artery rupture and massive retroperitoneal hematoma, successfully treated with arteriographic embolization.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Massive retroperitoneal hematoma caused by lumbar artery rupture is generally associated with trauma or retroperitoneal malignancy. However, despite recent advances in technologies and tools, spontaneous lumbar artery rupture is a very rare disease entity but remains a challenging problem because it is frequently associated with significantly high mortality and morbidity and is very difficult to make a correct diagnosis. METHODS: We evaluated the databases of the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trial, Google Scholar, the KoreaMed and the Research Information Sharing Service databases, and a detailed systematic review was performed by searching in PubMed. The initial search was performed on 3 February 2018 and a second search conducted in 29 January 2019. RESULTS: A total of 10 case reports on massive hemoperitoneum caused by spontaneous lumbar artery rupture were identified. Of the 10 case reports involving 14 patients, eight were male and six were female under 62.71 ± 13.93. Of the 14 patients, 9 (64.3%) surviving with transcatheter arterial embolization, three (21.4%) died of multi-organ failure or hypovolemia, and two (14.3%) had no definite records on survival or death. CONCLUSIONS: A massive retroperitoneal hematoma caused by lumbar artery rupture should be considered in patients with late-onset shock accompanied by blunt abdominal/pelvic trauma. Furthermore, early detection and urgent embolization would prevent further complications and eliminate the need for surgical interventions.

Lumbar artery perforators: an anatomical study based on computed tomographic angiography imaging.

BACKGROUND: The free lumbar artery perforator flap has recently been introduced as a potentially valuable option for autologous breast reconstruction in a subset of patients. Up to date, few anatomical studies, exploring the lumbar region as a donor site for perforator- based flaps, have been conducted. METHODS: An anatomical study of the position of the dominant lumbar artery perforator was performed, using the preoperative computed tomographic angiography images of 24 autologous breast reconstruction patients. In total, 61 dominant perforators were determined, 28 on the left and 33 on the right side. A radiologist defined the position of the perforator as coordinates in an xy-grid. RESULTS: Dominant perforators were shown to originate from the lumbar arteries at the level of lumbar vertebrae three or four. Remarkably, approximately 85% of these lumbar artery perforators enter the skin at 7-10 cm lateral from the midline (mean left 8.6 cm, right 8.2 cm). CONCLUSION: This study concludes a rather constant position of the dominant perforator. Therefore, preoperative-computed tomographic angiography is not always essential to find this perforator and Doppler ultrasound could be considered as an alternative, thereby carefully assessing all advantages and disadvantages inherent to either of these imaging methods.

Lumbar artery branches coursing vertically over the intervertebral discs of the lower lumbar spine: an anatomic study.

PURPOSE: Bleeding from the lumbar artery is a potential complication during the transpsoas approach to the lower lumbar intervertebral discs. In this anatomic study, the morphological relationships between the branches of the lumbar artery and the lower intervertebral disc were investigated to assess the risk of injury to the branches of the lumbar segmental arteries. METHODS: We studied 88 sites (86 lumbar arteries) at the third and fourth lumbar vertebrae bilaterally in 22 formalin-fixed cadavers. The branches of the lumbar artery coursing along the lateral sides of the lower intervertebral disc [muscular branch, anastomotic branch, and branch supplying the spinal nerve and plexus (BSNP)] and the iliolumbar artery running upward over the L4-5 disc were identified. Branches crossing the intervertebral discs vertically were evaluated. RESULTS: Muscular branches with a lumen structure longer than 2 cm coursed vertically over the middle third of the intervertebral disc in 3 of 88 sites (3.4 %). Anastomotic branches ran downward in 13 of 88 (14.8 %), and iliolumbar arteries ran upward on the posterior third of the lateral sides of the disc in 2 of 88 (2.3 %). BSNPs ran downward through the posterior third of the disc at 18 of 88 sites (20.5 %). Overall, the arterial branches coursed vertically over the posterior third of the lateral sides of the intervertebral discs in approximately 30 % of subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Lumbar artery branches coursed vertically over the middle third and the posterior third of the lateral sides of the intervertebral discs in approximately 3 and 30 % of subjects, respectively.

Immediate breast reconstruction using the free lumbar artery perforator flap and lateral thoracic vein interposition graft for recipient lateral thoracic artery anastomosis.

The lumbar artery perforator (LAP) flap, which contains excess skin and fat tissue, love handles, that extends from the lower back to upper buttock, may provide an alternate tissue source for autologous breast reconstruction. However, LAP flap use during this procedure frequently requires vessel interposition grafts to correct the short flap pedicle length and mismatched recipient vessel calibre. A 46-year-old patient underwent a right nipple-sparing mastectomy using a lateral approach for ductal carcinoma in situ and immediate LAP flap breast reconstruction. The lateral thoracic vessel served as the recipient vessel, and a lateral thoracic vein interposition graft from the distal remnant was performed to adjust the arterial length and size discrepancy between the recipient lateral thoracic artery and pedicle artery. This procedure facilitates microsurgical anastomosis and medialisation of LAP flap to make a natural decollete line and create a cleavage for the reconstructed breast.

Traumatic lumbar artery rupture after lumbar spinal fracture dislocation causing hypovolemic shock: An endovascular treatment.

Recently, we observed a case of lumbar artery injury after trauma, which was treated by endovascular embolization. A 67-year-old woman who was injured in a traffic accident was brought to the emergency room. She was conscious and her hemodynamic condition was stable, but she had paraplegia below L1 dermatome. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan of abdomen and pelvis revealed fracture dislocation of L3/4 along with retroperitoneal hematomas. However, there was no evidence of traumatic injury in both thoracic and abdominal cavity. At that time, her blood pressure suddenly decreased to 60/40 mmHg and her mental status deteriorated. Also, her hemoglobin level was 5.4 g/dl. While her hemodynamic condition stabilized with massive fluid resuscitation including blood transfusion, an angiography was immediately performed to look for and embolize site of retroperitoneal hemorrhage. On the angiographic images, there was an active extravasation from ruptured left 3rd lumbar artery, and we performed complete embolization with GELFOAM and coil. Lumbar artery injury after trauma is rare and endovascular treatment is useful in case of hemodynamic instability.