Extensive postoperative epidural hematoma after full anticoagulation: case report and review of the literature.
OBJECTIVE
A 67-year-old man with degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis and a medical history significant for coronary artery disease underwent routine lumbar surgical decompression. The objective of this study was to report a case of postoperative epidural hematoma associated with the use of emergent anticoagulation, including the dangers associated with spinal decompression and early postoperative anticoagulation.


METHODS
Case report.


RESULTS
After anticoagulation therapy for postoperative myocardial ischemia, the patient developed paresis with ascending abdominal paraesthesias. Immediate decompression of the surgical wound was carried out at the bedside. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a massive spinal epidural hematoma extending from the middle of the cervical spine to the sacrum. Emergent cervical, thoracic, and revision lumbar laminectomy without fusion was performed to decompress the spinal canal and evacuate the hematoma.


RESULTS
Motor and sensory function returned to normal by 14 days postoperatively, but bowel and bladder function continued to be impaired. Postoperative radiographs showed that coronal and sagittal spinal alignment did not change significantly after extensive laminectomy.


CONCLUSIONS
Full anticoagulation should be avoided in the early postoperative period. In cases requiring early vigorous anticoagulation, patients should be closely monitored for changes in neurologic status. Combined cervical, thoracic, and lumbar laminectomy, without instrumentation or fusion, is an acceptable treatment option.
University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Box 665, Rochester, NY 14642, USA. Ken_Morse@urmc.rochester.edu
Kenneth
K
Morse
Mark
M
Weight
Robert
R
Molinari
D000368:Aged; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects*; D046748:Hematoma, Epidural, Spinal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008297:Male; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D013130:Spinal Stenosis / Q000601:surgery*
D000925:Anticoagulants; D006493:Heparin