Paraplegia after left thoracotomy in a patient carrying an epidural catheter
Mato, M.; Pérez, A.; Otero, J.; Márquez, C.; Mora, R.; Torres, L.M.
Revista Espanola de Anestesiologia y Reanimacion 48(2): 89-92
2001
ISSN/ISBN: 0034-9356 PMID: 11257958 Document Number: 540353
A 61-year-old man undergoing left thoracotomy, in whom a lumbar epidural catheter had been inserted, experienced paraplegia in the immediate recovery period. Diagnostic tests and clinical examinations ruled out neurological causes attributable to the catheter, indicating that the cause was surgical. Paraplegia after thoracotomy is rare but has been described in the literature. We discuss ways that injuries may produce medullary lesions related to thoracic surgery.