REPAIR OF INJURED VERTEBRAL ARTERY IN ANTERIOR CERVICAL PROCEDURES

Study Design. A case report of treatment of injury to the vertebral ar tery in anterior cervical procedures is presented with a review of the literature. Objectives. The feasibility of direct surgical repair is suggested. Summary of Background Data. Currently, ligation or tamponad e is accepted as the treatment of injury to the vertebral artery in an terior cervical surgery. Significant morbidity can result from this me thod. Direct repair should eliminate this morbidity. Methods. A report is presented of a patient who sustained injury to the vertebral arter y, and the technique of repair is discussed. The literature was review ed. Results. The outcome was successful regarding both repair and the primary procedure. Conclusions. Although it is impossible to make a re commendation based on a single incident, this technique is believed to minimize postoperative sequelae that can be associated with occlusion of the vertebral artery.