Periodicum biologorum, Vol. 115 No. 2, 2013.
Other
Transient paraplegia after esophagectomy in a patient with thoracic epidural analgesia
NINA SULEN
; General Hospital Zadar, Bože Peričića 5, 23 000 Zadar, Croatia
BARBARA PETANI
; General Hospital Zadar, Bože Peričića 5, 23 000 Zadar, Croatia
IVAN BAČIĆ
; General Hospital Zadar, Bože Peričića 5, 23 000 Zadar, Croatia
TATJANA ŠIMURINA
; TATJANA [IMURINA
Abstract
Paraplegia is a rare but devastating complication in esophageal surgery.
Epidural analgesia is considered essential in perioperative management of
patients with esophageal cancer but carries a risk of causing neurologic
deficit. We present a case of sudden postoperative paraplegia and numbness of lower extremities followed shortly after with hypotension and loss of consciousness in a 47-year old patient who underwent total esophagectomy and esophagogastroplasty with thoracic epidural analgesia. Paraplegia was short-lived and resolved with hemodynamic stabilization. We discuss possible causes of neurologic deficit in this patient and emphasise the importance of maintaining spinal cord perfussion pressure by avoiding perioperative hypotension.
Keywords
epidural anesthesia; paraplegia; perioperative hypotension; esophagectomy
Hrčak ID:
106017
URI
Publication date:
1.6.2013.
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