OBJECTIVETo explore the risk factors,preventive measure of epidural hematoma after anterior cervical operation.

METHODSFrom June 2005 and December 2012, 1,452 patients underwent anterior cervical operation in our hospital. Epidural hematoma occurred in 5 cases after operation and the incidence rate was 0.34%. There were 4 males and 1 female with an average age of 46.4 years (ranged, 33 to 55); 3 cases with cervical myelopathy, 1 case with cervical myelopathy and C5 vertebral angeioma, 1 case with ossification of cervical posterior longitudinal ligament. The occurred time,main clinical situation,duration of symptoms,operative management of epidural hematoma were analyzed.

RESULTSFive patients with epidural hematoma occurred within 24 h; the average interval between onset of symptoms and surgery was 4 h (ranged, 2 to 7). Operative treatment was accomplished in 5 cases by exploration and hematoma evacuation. There was significant improvement in all patients after reoperation. Epidural hematoma occurred again in one patient at 5 h after hematoma evacuation, and reoperation were performed to treat it. All patients were followed up from 6 to18 months with an average of 13.8 months. No recurrence was found.

CONCLUSIONIntensive care in 24 h postoperatively is important because of epidural hematoma often occurs in this period,especialy in the period of 6-8 h postoperativey. Clinical findings and MRI can early diagnose epidural hematoma and help treatment. Once it is identified and surgical evacuation would be performed on time.