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Case Reports
Postoperative Epidural Analgesia and Possible Transient Anterior Spinal Artery Syndrome
  1. Zeev Crystal, M.D. and
  2. Yeshayahu Katz, M.D., D.Sc.
  1. From the Department of Anesthesiology, HaEmek Medical Center (Z.C., Y.K.), Afula; and the Laboratory for Anesthesia, Pain and Neural Research, The Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology (Y.K.), Haifa, Israel.
  1. Reprint requests: Yeshayahu Katz, M.D., D.Sc., Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Management Service, HaEmek Medical Center, 18101 Afula, Israel. E-mail: ykatz18@hotmail.com.

Abstract

Background and Objective We present an unusual complication of epidural analgesia used to facilitate postoperative pain relief while allowing mobilization of the patient.

Case Report A 65-year-old woman with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, chronic renal failure, and degenerative vertebral anatomy underwent resection of the left ureter due to obstructing tumor. The day following surgery, mobilization to an armchair was started, followed by a decrease in blood pressure. Soon after, flaccid paralysis with sparing of sensory functions, consistent with anterior spinal artery syndrome (ASAS), was diagnosed.

Conclusions This complication should be taken into account, especially in patients at risk, when considering epidural analgesia techniques in the postoperative period.

  • Epidural analgesia
  • Anterior spinal artery
  • Complications
  • Syndrome

https://doi.org/10.1053/rapm.2001.22993

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