Clinical Challenges and Surgical Interventions in Managing Neck Hematoma After Cervical Spine Fusion: A Case Report

This case study discusses a 47-year-old Caucasian male with a past medical history of dyslipidemia, gastroesophageal reflux disease, previous cervical spine surgery, and anxiety who developed a neck hematoma postrevision of a C5-6 cervical spine fusion. Emergent neck exploration and evacuation of the hematoma were performed, and ventilation was restored. The patient was transferred to the intensive care unit and extubated on postoperative day 5 with a stable wound and no residual bleeding. At the 3-week follow-up appointment, the patient was noted to be doing well, with a chest radiograph showing no effusion or hematoma. This report elucidates the challenges posed by acute clinical symptoms and their correlation with the underlying cause, as well as the subsequent management and outcomes of a neck hematoma complication following cervical spine surgery.