Successful retrieval of a broken pituitary rongeur tip from the lumbar intervertebral disc space using a magnetic probe: illustrative case.

Background: Unexpected events such as instrument breakage during a routine lumbar microdiscectomy can pose a risk for nerve root injury, durotomy, infection, and anterior displacement into the retroperitoneal space. Removal of broken instruments requires planning, patience, and sometimes subsequent surgical procedures. Here, the authors explore the effectiveness of a magnetic probe for the retrieval of broken metallic (magnetic) pieces.