Anaesthetic Management and Multidisciplinary Approach in a Case of Aortic Foreign Body Impalement Following Thoracolumbar Instrumentation.

Abstract

Iatrogenic thoracic aortic injury caused by misplaced spinal instrumentation is a rare but potentially fatal complication of posterior spinal fusion and fixation procedures. The close anatomical relationship between the vertebral column and descending thoracic aorta puts the aortic wall at risk, especially when pedicle screws are malpositioned. While such injuries may remain asymptomatic initially, progressive erosion of the aortic wall can lead to catastrophic rupture. This case report highlights a 72-year-old woman with a history of diabetes, hypertension, and Takotsubo cardiomyopathy who developed a thoracic aortic injury following thoracolumbar instrumentation. Imaging revealed a pedicle screw at the T5 level, directly impinging on the aortic wall. A multidisciplinary approach involving cardiovascular, neurosurgery, and anaesthesiology teams was utilized, and thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) was performed to stabilize the aorta before hardware removal. Despite successful surgical intervention, the patient later developed a right-sided middle cerebral artery infarction, possibly due to thromboembolism from the TEVAR site. This case underscores the importance of a staged surgical approach with TEVAR in managing aortic injury during spinal instrumentation, especially in high-risk patients with comorbidities such as Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Careful anaesthesia management and multidisciplinary collaboration are essential to optimize outcomes in such complex cases.