Anterior Cage Migration during Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) is a popular procedure for patients with lumbar instability with unilateral foraminal stenosis. Many complications can occur during the procedure. However, cage migration during the procedure is rarely reported. Anterior cage migrations can lead to catastrophic consequences due to the possibility of major vessel injuries. Here, we present a 76-year-old male patient whose cage extruded anteriorly during L5-S1 TLIF. Fortunately, he did not experience any life-threatening complications, and the migrated cage was visible just below the iliac vessels’ bifurcation site on computed tomography angiography. As an alternative, an emergency anterior lumbar interbody fusion was successfully performed, and the TLIF cage was removed during this procedure.