Estimating the incidence of dpinal epidural hematoma after central neuroaxial blockades: a retrospective review of 38,168 cases in cancer clinic

Abstract

Neuraxial blockades provide effective pain relief. There are some benefits of prolonged epidural analgesia versus systemic opioids via PCA. Unfortunately, severe hemorrhagic complications can occur after application of these blockades. Methods: poll of all anesthesiologists working in cancer clinic during 2001-2015, search of data in medical archive. Results: it was revealed 2 cases of spinal hematoma following 30,042 epidural anesthetics and 0 cases among 8,126 spinal techniques. Both of complications were associated with evidence of hemostatic abnormality, there were no neurologic symptoms; patients had a conservative treatment and good outcomes. Conclusions: the incidence of spinal epidural hematoma after prolonged epidural analgesia was 0.67 per 10,000 (95% CI 0.57-0.76per 10,000), after spinal anesthesia - 0 per 8,126.