• Thomas Volk, Alexander Wolf, Hugo Van Aken, Hartmut Bürkle, Albrecht Wiebalck, and Thorsten Steinfeldt.
• German Regional Anaesthesia Network, Department of Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, Saarland University Hospital, Homburg, Germany. Thomas.Volk@uks.eu
• Eur J Anaesthesiol. 2012 Apr 1;29(4):170-6.

ContextThe incidence of epidural haematoma after epidural anaesthesia is uncertain.ObjectiveTo quantify epidural haematoma after epidural anaesthesia in 2008 and 2009 in a network for safety in regional anaesthesia in Germany.DesignAnalysis of data systematically documented within the German network for safety in regional anaesthesia.SettingA regional anaesthesia register for clinics recording their clinical practice was set up according to a consented protocol. After checking the registry for the presence of epidural haematoma, all participating centres were asked for the number of epidural haematoma and the number of neuraxial procedures performed during the 2 years. Patient-specific information regarding procedures and outcome were requested.Main Outcome MeasuresThe incidence of epidural haematoma in the network with comorbidities, coagulation status and time from first symptoms, also the performance of MRI and laminectomy.ResultsDuring a period of 2 years, 33,142 non-obstetric epidural blocks were performed. Five thoracic epidural and one cranial haematoma occurred.DiscussionThe incidence of spinal haematoma was 1: 6 628 in this general surgical population. When local anaesthetics are continuously applied, progressive motor block should increase the level of suspicion. When accompanied by pain or paraesthesia, progression to diagnosis by MRI is mandatory.

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