CASE AT A GLANCE
Post Op Hematoma Cervical Fusion
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Case Overview:
A 65 year old male patient was admitted for a cervical laminectomy and fusion of his C3-C7. He then was discharged to rehab but developed a pulmonary embolism (PE) requiring anticoagulation treatment to prevent further clotting. He continued his rehab, but then developed pain at the surgical site. He underwent an emergent incision and drainage of the neck wound revealing a hematoma. It is alleged that the hematoma caused permanent spinal cord damage and quadriplegia. Bleeding is a known complication of anticoagulation treatment, but with the risk of developing another PE that could cause sudden death, anticoagulation was the recommended course of treatment to the patient. The jury found in favor of the defense.
