Epidural hematoma: postoperative complication

Abstract

Epidural hematoma is an indication for emergency neurosurgical intervention. This condition is an extremely rare postoperative complication of ventriculoperitoneal shunt and contralateral decompressive craniectomy. A 22-year-old male patient was admitted to our clinic with headache and a decline in the level of consciousness. We detected a left thalamic astrocytoma and hydrocephalus, which we treated via ventriculoperitoneal shunt surgery and ventricular drainage in emergency conditions. The patient experienced dysphasia on the first postoperative day and we found a right frontoparietal epidural hematoma. We evacuated the hematoma and exchanged the medium pressure valve for a high-pressure valve. The second patient was a 19-year-old male who had been assaulted. His pupils were fixed and dilated and had no reaction to painful stimulus. We detected bilateral frontotemporal skull fractures and right frontotemporoparietal subdural and epidural hematomas. We performed a right decompressive craniectomy and subdural/epidural hematoma evacuation followed by recovery under sedation in the intensive care unit. We performed cranial computed tomography six hours after surgery and found a left temporoparietal epidural hematoma. We performed a left temporoparietal craniotomy and epidural hematoma evacuation. The patient exhibited a higher level of consciousness and increased movement of his extremities. Epidural hematoma is a life-threatening complication encountered in neurosurgery practice. Neurosurgeons should be aware of the possibility of epidural hematoma following ventriculoperitoneal shunt or traumatic brain injury surgery.