The role of the vascular surgeon in anterior lumbar spine surgery

Abstract

The anterior lumbar approach is not generally favoured by many neurosurgeons, despite its many advantages, due to the significant risk of vascular injuries as reported in the literature. This risk is especially acknowledged by the emerging generation of neurosurgeons with very little general surgical exposure during the training years. Adopting a combined vascular and neurosurgical approach has been reported to reduce the risk of vascular injury in anterior lumbar surgery acceptably low. This team approach provides an excellent opportunity to preserve some key 'general' surgical skills for neurosurgeons and ensure safe outcome for the patients.