ACUTE EPIDURAL HEMATOMA AFTER SPINAL SURGERY:AN ANALYSIS OF 10 CASES

Objective To study the risk factors,treatment and prevention of acute epidural hematoma after spinal surgery. Methods From June 2003 to June 2008,10 acute epidural hematoma in operative site after spinal operation were confirmed surgically.Of whom,nine cases were after through posterior approach surgery of thoracic vertebrae,and one after posterior approach cervical vertebrae.A retrospective analysis was done for the above patients. Results Before and after hematoma removal,the neurofunctional scores were 1.50±0.85 and 2.90±1.37,respectively,the difference being significant(t=5.25,P0.01).The compression time of hematoma was 6.95±5.20 hours on average,the neurofunctional score after removal of hematoma was negatively correlated with the compression time of hematoma(r=-0.846,P0.01). Conclusion Postoperative acute epidural hematoma should be decompressed as soon as possible,the earlier the hematoma to be removed,the better the nerve function recovers after surgery.