Lymphatic Injury after Vertebral Column Resection from a Posterior Approach for Spinal Deformity Correction: A Case Report

Case:We describe a case of lymphatic injury that occurred during a 2-level vertebral column resection for spinal deformity correction from a posterior-only approach. Large surgical drain volume output with laboratory findings of high levels of triglycerides and lymphocytes prompted conservative treatment with an elastic wrap bandage and a "no fat"diet. The patient responded to the treatment with no sequelae noted.Conclusion:Lymphatic complications are rare in spine surgery. All reported cases are associated with anterior approaches. The lymphatic injury presented here demonstrates the potential for this complication to occur during posterior-only approaches as well.