Journal of clinical neuroscience : official journal of the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia
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Case Reports
Epidural hematoma of the cervical spine after cervical laminectomy in a patient with ventriculo-peritoneal shunt.
Cervical laminectomy is one of the most common procedures performed in the sitting position. However in the presence of intracranial hypotension, a negative intradural pressure develops when the patients are in the sitting position. ⋯ When performing a cervical laminectomy procedure on a shunted patient, an upright position should be avoided during the operation. Intra-operative hypercapnia as well as intra- and post-operative intravenous hydration should be maintained in order to increase intradural pressure, preventing the formation of cervical spinal epidural hematoma after cervical laminectomy.