Retrieval of a retained broken scalpel blade from lumbar intervertebral disc space - a case report

Lumbar diskectomy is a common procedure in neurosurgery, besides the common complications broken scalpel blade during disc removal is a rare event. Usually retrieval of such sharp retained fragments in same sitting is difficult and to prevent further complications another session is warranted [1]. We report a case of broken scalpel blade during L1-L2 lumbar intervertebral disc removal and successful surgical retrieval of that tip of knife with the help of operative microscope under fluoroscopic guidance during same sitting before any hazardous complications develop.