Rare ureteral injury in lumbar discectomy – two case reports

Abstract

Introduction Iatrogenic ureteral injuries are an important part of all ureteral injuries. They occur primarily during urological, gynecological, vascular, and general procedures. Urethral injury during spinal surgery is a rare complication. We wanted to emphasize that there should be limitations during the use of surgical instruments used in spine surgery.

Outlines of cases We present ureteral injury cases that occurred in two patients with lumbar disc herniation who were treated surgically at the Department of Neurosurgery. Ureteral repair was performed in both patients by the urology department. Their postoperative course was uneventful.

Conclusion This report emphasizes the importance of ureteral injury complications which are rare, but can cause medicolegal problems during lumbar disc surgery. Surgeons should consider this potential complication, which has devastating consequences, particularly in patients with abdominal pain in the early postoperative period.

Keywords: herniated intervertebral disc; iatrogenic; surgery; ureteral injury