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Epidural and spinal anaesthesia and the use of anticoagulants
R F Armstrong1, V Addy, H Breivik
1Department of Anaesthetics, Middlesex Hospital, London.
Neurological injuries after epidural/spinal analgesia are a serious but uncommon problem. Spinal haematoma cause a proportion of these complications, and can be minimized by avoiding central nervous blockade in high-risk patients, especially those receiving anticoagulant therapy. Early recognition of spinal haematoma by basic neurological monitoring allows early intervention and improves outcome.
Neurological injuries after epidural/spinal analgesia are a serious but uncommon problem. Spinal haematoma cause a proportion of these complications, and can be minimized by avoiding central nervous blockade in high-risk patients, especially those receiving anticoagulant therapy. Early recognition of spinal haematoma by basic neurological monitoring allows early intervention and improves outcome.