Abdominal craniectomy implantation and thromboembolism prophylaxis resulting in wound hematoma.

Background: Refractory intracranial hypertension often is treated with craniectomy to prevent herniation and irreversible neurologic decline in those with salvageable brain injuries.

Objective: We report 3 cases of iatrogenic abdominal hematoma at the site of craniectomy implantation secondary to abdominal subcutaneous deep vein thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of patients with abdominal wound complications after craniectomy and abdominal bone flap implantation at the University of Florida from 2004 to 2008 was performed.