Deep Venous Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism After Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion: Report of 2 Cases in 315 Procedures

Orthop Clin North Am. 2020 Jul;51(3):423-425. doi: 10.1016/j.ocl.2020.02.006. Epub 2020 Mar 19.

Abstract

When the guidelines of the North American Spine Society concerning deep venous thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis were followed, only 2 (0.63%) of 315 patients with minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusions developed DVT complications over a 9-year period. Based on these findings, mechanical DVT prophylaxis appears to be adequate in patients undergoing elective spinal surgery, with no current support for pharmacologic prophylaxis.

Keywords: Deep venous thrombosis; Minimally invasive spine surgery; Pulmonary embolism; Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Humans
  • Lumbar Vertebrae / surgery*
  • Male
  • Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / adverse effects
  • Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / methods
  • Pulmonary Embolism / etiology
  • Pulmonary Embolism / prevention & control
  • Pulmonary Embolism / therapy*
  • Risk Factors
  • Spinal Fusion / adverse effects*
  • Spinal Fusion / methods
  • Spinal Stenosis / surgery*
  • Spondylolisthesis / surgery*
  • Venous Thrombosis / etiology
  • Venous Thrombosis / prevention & control
  • Venous Thrombosis / therapy*