VASCULAR AND VISCERAL INJURIES ASSOCIATED WITH LUMBAR DISC SURGERY - MEDICOLEGAL IMPLICATIONS

Symptomatic perforation of the anterior annulus fibrosus/anterior long itudinal ligament during surgery for herniated lumbar disc disease is one of the more solemn and sobering complications experienced by neuro surgeons or orthopedic surgeons. This complication frequently results in the death of the patient. Its occurrence is probably more common th an the medical community would expect. The authors report 21 cases sin ce 1985 in which an injury to an intra-abdominal vessel or viscera occ urred. In all cases litigation resulted and a settlement or verdict wa s rendered. A review of the literature is presented and the medicolega l implications of symptomatic ventral perforations of the annulus fibr osus/anterior longitudinal ligament are discussed. (C) 1998 by Elsevie r Science Inc.