Unusual complications of spinal surgery: A report of life-threatening vascular injury

Kyphoplasty and lumbar spine fusion are rarely associated with significant vascular damage and internal bleeding. However, anaesthesiologists must maintain vigilance in order to detect rare, but potentially lifethreatening haemorrhagic complications of these procedures which may present intra-operatively or in the immediate post-operative period. We present two cases of life-threatening haemorrhagic complications of spine surgery, one from T12 kyphoplasty and the other from a redo lumbar laminectomy and fusion. In both cases, prompt recognition of vascular injuries with internal or covert bleeding which presented shortly after surgery allowed timely and life-saving treatment.