Consensus statement by the Belgian Society of Neurosurgery and literature review on the diagnosis and management of postoperative spinal epidural hematoma.

Abstract

Introduction: Postoperative spinal epidural hematoma (SEH) is a potentially devastating complication for patients and caregivers, and a leading cause for litigation in spine surgery. This article provides a literature review and the consensus statement of the Belgian Society of Neurosurgery (BSN) on the management of postoperative SEH.

Research question: Can we implement current evidence to establish a framework on the management of postoperative SEH?

Material and methods: Based on a Pubmed search, abstracts were screened for topics covering incidence, pathophysiology, risk factors, surveillance, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome. Relevant topics are presented in a narrative review format, followed by a consensus statement of the BSN with emphasis on rapid diagnosis and treatment.

Results: Symptomatic SEH is rare (0.3-1%) and can have an insidious onset with rapid progression to neurological deficits. Recurring risk factors are coagulation deficiencies and multilevel surgery. The protective effect of a postoperative drainage system is uncertain, and early thrombo-embolic prophylaxis does not increase the risk of SEH. Prognosis is dependent on residual neurological function and critically, on the time to reintervention. There is a need for structured neurological observation formats after spine surgery.

Discussion and conclusion: Symptomatic SEH after surgery is an unpredictable and severe complication requiring rapid action to maximize outcomes. The BSN proposes three nuclear terms central to SEH management, converging on a triple 'S': 1) high level of suspicion 2) speed of diagnosis and 3) immediate surgery. All spine centers can benefit from an institutional protocol in which SEH should be treated as an emergency.