[Neurological accidents after epidural anesthesia in obstetrics]

Several neurological complications have been described after epidural anaesthesia, including direct trauma to the spinal cord or nerve roots, epidural haematoma, meningitis, epidural abscess, spinal cord infarction. neurologic toxicity of injected agents. In obstetric practice, these complications are very uncommon. However, their real occurrence may be underrated, partly for medicolegal reasons. Different complication mechanisms are described; they should be kept in mind while evaluating post block neurological deficits so that prompt corrective measures can be taken whenever appropriate to prevent permanent damage.