Ureteral Injury During Laparoscopy-Assisted Anterior Lumbar Fusion

STUDY DESIGN: A case report of ureteral injury as a complication incurred during a laparoscopy-assisted lumbar fusion. OBJECTIVE: To alert orthopedic surgeons to this injury, which may occur during such surgery. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Laparoscopy-assisted lumbar fusion is a minimally invasive surgical technique to accomplish lumbar fusion with excellent patient satisfaction, reduced hospital stay, and decreased rehabilitative time. METHOD AND RESULTS: A case report is presented detailing ureteral injury as a complication of laparoscopy-assisted lumbar fusion and the subsequent treatment of the injury. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopy-assisted lumbar fusion is a new, less invasive technique with excellent patient satisfaction; however, ureteral injury may occur, and the surgeon should keep this in mind if a postoperative fluid collection occurs in the pelvis.