Iatrogenic paraplegia in 2 morbidly obese patients with ankylosing spondylitis undergoing total hip arthroplasty

Abstract

✓The authors describe 2 cases of intraoperative thoracic vertebral body extension fractures in morbidly obese patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), undergoing total hip arthroplasty, with resultant acute traumatic paraplegia. The pathophysiology with regard to the surgical positioning and the associated risks of obesity and AS are reviewed. Additionally, strategies for avoiding these types of injuries are discussed.