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Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery - British Volume, Vol 87-B, Issue 9,
1248-1252.
doi: 10.1302/0301-620X.87B9.16518 Copyright © 2005 by British Editorial Society of Bone and Joint Surgery Analysis of the risk factors for the development of post-operative spinal epidural haematomaJ. N. Awad, MD, Fellow1; K. M. Kebaish, MD, Assistant Professor1; J. Donigan, MD, Resident2; D. B. Cohen, MD, Assistant Professor1; and J. P. Kostuik, MD, Professor1
1 Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, 4940 Eastern Avenue, A672, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, USA. Correspondence should be sent to Dr K. M. Kebaish, c/o Elaine P. Henze, Medical Editor; e-mail: ehenze1{at}jhmi.edu
In order to identify the risk factors and the incidence of post-operative spinal epidural haematoma, we analysed the records of 14 932 patients undergoing spinal surgery between 1984 and 2002. Of these, 32 (0.2%) required re-operation within one week of the initial procedure and had an International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-9 code for haematoma complicating a procedure (998.12). As controls, we selected those who had undergone a procedure of equal complexity by the same surgeon but who had not developed this complication. Risks identified before operation were older than 60 years of age, the use of pre-operative non-steroidal anti-inflammatories and Rh-positive blood type. Those during the procedure were involvement of more than five operative levels, a haemoglobin < 10 g/dL, and blood loss > 1 L, and after operation an international normalised ratio > 2.0 within the first 48 hours. All these were identified as significant (p < 0.03). Well-controlled anticoagulation and the use of drains were not associated with an increased risk of post-operative spinal epidural haematoma.
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