Abdominal Arterial Translation in Lower Lumbar Spine Level Due to Positional Change: A Clinical Survey Using Intraoperative Computed Tomography

TL;DR

This study uses CT scans to examine how the position of abdominal arteries changes during lumbar spine surgery and identifies factors that may increase the risk of vascular injury.

Contribution

The study provides new insights into positional changes of abdominal arteries during lumbar surgery using intraoperative CT scans.

Findings

No significant overall positional change in abdominal arteries between supine and prone positions was observed.

In males, the abdominal artery was closer to the spine at the L5/S level in the supine position.

Aortic calcification was associated with the artery being closer to the spine at the L4/5 level.

Abstract

Background: Abdominal vascular injury, a fatal complication of lumbar disc surgery, should concern spine surgeons. This study aimed to compare the position of the abdominal arteries in the supine and prone positions and the factors involved. Thirty patients who underwent lumbar surgery by posterior approach were included. Methods: All patients underwent computed tomography (CT) preoperatively in the supine position and intraoperatively in the prone position. In the CT axial image, at the L4, L4/5 disc, L5, and L5/S1 disc level, we measured the shortest distance between the abdominal arteries and the vertebral body (SDA: shortest distance to the aorta), and the amount of abdominal arterial translation, defined as “SDA on intraoperative CT” minus “SDA on preoperative CT”. Additionally, the preoperative CT axial images were evaluated for the presence of aortic calcification. Results: No significant difference in SDA values based on patients’ positions was observed at each level. In males, the supine position brought the abdominal artery significantly closer to the spine at the left side of the L5/S level (p = 0.037), and, in cases of calcification of the abdominal artery, the abdominal artery was found to be closer to the spine at the left side of the L4/5 level (p = 0.026). Conclusions: It is important to confirm preoperative images correctly to prevent great vessel injuries in lumbar spine surgery using a posterior approach.

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