Acute neurologic deficit associated with a posterior cervical drain: a case report.

Abstract

Descriptive. To document a rare complication involving the use of a wound drain after cervical laminectomy. No previous reports describe spinal cord compression by a surgical drain resulting in a neurologic deficit. Most texts recommend the use of a drain following this procedure. An 80-year-old female underwent cervical laminectomy for myelopathy with initial improvement in symptoms. Approximately 6 hours following surgery, she developed acute onset of quadriparesis when repositioning in bed. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed cord compression by the surgical drain, which was immediately removed. The patient experienced partial improvement of the neurologic deficit. At 18-month follow-up, left handed weakness, left leg spasticity, and neurogenic bladder persist. The development of neurologic deficits due to compression by a surgical drain can occur. This complication might be avoided by approximating the neck musculature before placement of the drain and closure of the fascia.