INJURY OF A MEDIAL SACRAL VESSEL DURING LUMBAR LAMINECTOMY

Vascular injury sustained during neurosurgical procedures is surprisin gly rare, especially considering the anatomic proximity of major blood vessels to the vertebral column. Mortality rates are high if the inju ry is not recognized and definitive management is delayed. Case report s include massive hemorrhage, arteriovenous fistulas, and development of false aneurysms. Diagnostic CT scan and arteriography are useful if the patient's condition permits; however, rapid intervention is cruci al to the patient's survival. After reviewing the current surgical lit erature, we present a case of medial sacral artery injury occurring du ring laminectomy.