Complete paraplegia as a result of regional anesthesia.

Stroud, C C; Markel, D; Sidhu, K · J Arthroplasty · 2000

case_report · Level V

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Abstract

Complications after spinal or epidural anesthesia are rare. We report 2 cases of postoperative, complete paraplegia after regional anesthesia in orthopaedic patients not on anticoagulants. The paralysis was likely the result of spinal cord compression secondary to an epidural hematoma in 1 case and subdural hematoma in 1 case. A review of the literature regarding complications of regional anesthesia is presented. Regional anesthesia should be administered with caution and in selected patients.

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