Transient paraplegia after esophagectomy in a patient with thoracic epidural analgesia

Summary Paraplegia is a rare but devastating complication in esophageal surgery. Epidural analgesia is considered essential in perioperative management of patients with esophageal cancer but carries a risk of causing neurologic deficit. We present a case of sudden postoperative paraplegia and numbness of lower extremities followed shortly after with hypotension and loss of consciousness in a 47-year old patient who underwent total esophagectomy and esophagogastroplasty with thoracic epidural analgesia. Paraplegia was short-lived and resolved with hemodynamic stabilization. We discuss possiblecausesofneurologicdeficitinthispatientandemphasisetheimportance of maintaining spinal cord perfussion pressure by avoiding perioperative hypotension.

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