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Peer-reviewedCC BYFrontiers in surgery

Recurrent postoperative symptomatic epidural hematoma after thoracic decompression surgery: a case report and literature review

  • Xuyu Liao1
  • Liujun Zhao1
  • Yong Hu1
  • Liang Yu1
  • Yunlin Chen1
  • Xudong Hu1
  • Weihu Zhang1
  1. 1Spine Surgery Center, Ningbo No.6 Hospital , ,
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Abstract

Background: Postoperative symptomatic epidural hematoma (PSEH) is a rare but potentially devastating complication following thoracic decompression surgery, with an incidence of less than 1%. While isolated PSEH has been well documented, recurrent PSEH,particularly in the thoracic spine which represents an exceptionally rare phenomenon with limited literature available to guide clinical management.

Case presentation: This is a case of a 64-year-old male patient who underwent thoracic decompression surgery for ossification of the ligamentum flavum and developed recurrent PSEH requiring two hematoma evacuations. Due to the timely removing the collagenase covering the dural surface and meticulous intraoperative hemostasis, excellent clinical outcomes were achieved in the end.

Conclusion: Recurrent symptomatic epidural hematoma after thoracic decompression is an exceedingly rare but serious complication. Early recognition, prompt surgical intervention, meticulous management of intraspinal venous hemorrhage and identification of underlying risk factors are essential for optimizing neurological outcomes. This case adds to the limited literature on recurrent PSEH and highlights considerations for intraoperative management.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{liao2026recurrent,
  title = {{Recurrent postoperative symptomatic epidural hematoma after thoracic decompression surgery: a case report and literature review}},
  author = {Xuyu Liao and Liujun Zhao and Yong Hu and Liang Yu and Yunlin Chen and Xudong Hu and Weihu Zhang},
  journal = {Frontiers in surgery},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.3389/fsurg.2026.1882255},
  url = {https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13724321},
  note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Recurrent postoperative symptomatic epidural hematoma after thoracic decompression surgery: a case report and literature review
AU  - Xuyu Liao
AU  - Liujun Zhao
AU  - Yong Hu
AU  - Liang Yu
AU  - Yunlin Chen
AU  - Xudong Hu
AU  - Weihu Zhang
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/19
JO  - Frontiers in surgery
DO  - 10.3389/fsurg.2026.1882255
UR  - https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13724321
AB  - Background: Postoperative symptomatic epidural hematoma (PSEH) is a rare but potentially devastating complication following thoracic decompression surgery, with an incidence of less than 1%. While isolated PSEH has been well documented, recurrent PSEH,particularly in the thoracic spine which represents an exceptionally rare phenomenon with limited literature available to guide clinical management.  Case presentation: This is a case of a 64-year-old male patient who underwent thoracic decompression surgery for ossification of the ligamentum flavum and developed recurrent PSEH requiring two hematoma evacuations. Due to the timely removing the collagenase covering the dural surface and meticulous intraoperative hemostasis, excellent clinical outcomes were achieved in the end.  Conclusion: Recurrent symptomatic epidural hematoma after thoracic decompression is an exceedingly rare but serious complication. Early recognition, prompt surgical intervention, meticulous management of intraspinal venous hemorrhage and identification of underlying risk factors are essential for optimizing neurological outcomes. This case adds to the limited literature on recurrent PSEH and highlights considerations for intraoperative management.
SN  - 2296-875X
ER  -