Extraction of guide wire breakage from pedicle channel during percutaneous endoscopic posterior lumbar interbody fusion: a case report

This report presents a rare case of guidewire fracture during percutaneous endoscopic posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PE-PLIF) and describes the successful retrieval technique. A 49-year-old male with lumbar stenosis and spondylolisthesis underwent PE-PLIF, during which fluoroscopy identified a fractured guidewire within the vertebral body. The fragment was retrieved using endoscopic grasping forceps after removing the pedicle screw, and complete removal was confirmed by fluoroscopy. This case highlights the importance of thorough instrument inspection and careful intraoperative handling to prevent and manage such rare complications in spinal surgery.