[Postoperative compressive spinal epidural hematomas. 15 cases and a review of the literature].

Purpose Of The Study: In the literature, the frequency of postoperative compressive spinal epidural hematomas (SEH) appearing very low, we conducted the present study to determine the frequency of this complication in their unit and look for causative and predisposing factors.

Material And Methods: Among the 1,487 spinal operations performed in our unit between September 1997 and August 1998, fifteen patients had postoperative compressive SEH; their files were retrospectively analyzed regarding the initial intervention, postoperative period, revision operation and neurologic follow-up.

Results: Five women and ten men were involved ranging in age from 47 to 70 years (average, 59.