Massive lumbar spine hematoma post-spinal tap

Symptomatic Epidural Hematoma After Elective Cervical Spine Surgery: Incidence, Timing, Risk Factors, and Associated Complications

BACKGROUND

As the rate of elective cervical spine surgery increases, studies of complications may improve quality of care. Symptomatic postoperative cervical epidural hematomas (PCEH) are rare but result in significant morbidity. Because of their low incidence, the risk factors and complications associated with symptomatic PCEH remain unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To clarify the prevalence, timing, variables, and complications associated with PCEH following elective cervical spine surgery.

METHODS

Using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database, cervical spine surgeries performed between 2012 and 2016 were identified using Current Procedural Terminology codes. Symptomatic PCEH was defined as readmission or reoperation events specifically associated with International Classification of Diseases code diagnoses of postoperative hematoma within 30 d of index surgery. Multivariate models were created to assess the independent association of symptomatic PCEH with other postoperative complications.

RESULTS

There were 53233 patients included for analysis. The overall incidence of symptomatic PCEH was 0.4% (n = 198). Reoperation occurred in 158 cases (78.8%), of which 2 required a second reoperation (1.3%). The majority (91.8%) of hematomas occurred within 15 d of surgery. Multivariate analysis identified male gender, American Society of Anesthesiologists classes 3 to 5, bleeding disorder, increasing number of operative levels, revision surgery, dural repair, and perioperative transfusion as independent factors associated with PCEH. Upon controlling for those confounders, PCEH was independently associated with cardiac arrest, stroke, deep vein thrombosis, surgical site infection, and pneumonia.

CONCLUSION

Postoperative epidural hematomas requiring readmission or reoperation following elective cervical spine surgery occurred at an incidence of 0.4%. Symptomatic PCEHs are associated with increased rates of numerous major morbidities.

Symptomatic Epidural Hematoma after Elective Posterior Lumbar Decompression: Incidence, Timing, Risk Factors, and Associated Complications

BACKGROUND

Symptomatic post-operative lumbar epidural hematoma (PLEH) is a complication of lumbar spine surgery that can cause permanent neurologic consequences through compression of the cauda equina and nerve roots.

QUESTIONS/PURPOSES

We sought to investigate the incidence, timing, and risk factors for symptomatic epidural hematomas following posterior lumbar decompression, as well as to identify additional post-operative complications associated with symptomatic lumbar epidural hematomas.

METHODS

Elective lumbar spine procedures were identified in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database between 2012 and 2016. Analyzed predictors of reoperation or readmission within 30 days for symptomatic PLEH included demographics, comorbidities, pre-operative laboratory values, peri-operative characteristics, and post-operative complications.

RESULTS

There were 75,878 cases included in the analysis. The incidence rate of symptomatic PLEH was 0.27% (n = 206), 54.4% (n = 112) of which occurred within 5 days of the procedure. Increased age, obesity (body mass index of 35 or higher), peri-operative transfusion, multilevel surgery (two or more levels), dural tear repair, and microscope use were independently associated with PLEH. Post-operative complications associated with PLEH included surgical site infection and urinary tract infection.

CONCLUSIONS

Readmission or reoperation for symptomatic PLEH following elective lumbar spine surgery is rare and can occur many days or weeks after a procedure. There are modifiable risk factors for PLEH and associated additional post-operative complications that physicians should be suspicious of following posterior lumbar decompression.