Transforaminal Retrieval of Intradiscal Retained Broken Surgical Knife Blade

Abstract

Retrieval of a broken knife blade unintentionally buried in the intervertebral disc space can be a challenge and even impossible to achieve, despite hours of attempts. In the second surgery, the retained blade in the disc space is traditionally removed via the anterior approach. The transforaminal corridor might be a simple alternative route that does not carry inherent difficulties and risks associated with the anterior corridor. Eventually, removal of a broken blade via this route does not require the collaboration of an access surgeon.

Anterior pushing technique for a broken scalpel blade in lumbar discectomy: a case report

“…In addition, the right and left common iliac arteries are the most commonly injured (43% and 29%, respectively) during lumbar discectomy, whereas the right common iliac vein is the least commonly affected vessel (2). Complications that may arise from protrusion or extrusion of a sharp object anterior to the lumbar disc space include arteriovenous fistula; pseudoaneurysm; vascular, urethral, or bowel laceration; foreign body granuloma; and intravascular migration of a foreign body (1,(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8). The risk factors for scalpel blade fracture during discectomy include the use of No.…”

“…Complications that may arise from protrusion or extrusion of a sharp object anterior to the lumbar disc space include arteriovenous fistula; pseudoaneurysm; vascular, urethral, or bowel laceration; foreign body granuloma; and intravascular migration of a foreign body ( 1 , 3 – 8 ). The risk factors for scalpel blade fracture during discectomy include the use of No.…”

Retained Lumbar Intradiscal Surgical Knife Blade Retrieved Via Extended Extraforaminal Approach: Case Report and Review

“…or the retrieval of lumbar intradiscal retained surgical instruments including the knife blade being presently addressed; the retroperitoneal corridor has remained the most preferred route for about the last two decades. More recently the extraforaminal and transforaminal routes were introduced [1][2][3][4]. Within the present time there are still a few more corridors and techniques being described [5,6].…”

“…For years the retroperitoneal approach was accepted as the corridor of choice for this purpose. Then the more suitable extraforaminal approach was described in 2013 [1,2]. Later, the transforaminal approach with pars removal was introduced for its relative ease of extraction.…”

Is transforaminal retrieval of intradiscal deeply seated broken surgical knife blade all time pars sparing? A case report

“…We present a case in which retrieval of the broken blade could be easily achieved via the transforaminal route in 2013 that in which we could save the pars intact [2] . Here in, we present a new cases in which we cannot save pars inter articularis intact via a transforaminal approach for removal of deeply seated broken blade in disc space.…”