Tetraplegia after coronary artery bypass surgery in a patient with cervical herniation.

Tetraplegia is a rare complication after coronary artery bypass surgery. The authors present a case of tetraplegia after uncomplicated coronary artery bypass surgery because of cervical disc herniation. No distinct abnormality was found in the preoperative neurologic examination although the postoperative cervical magnetic resonance imaging revealed a huge hernia at C5-C6 level presenting with tetraplegia. Surgical decompression was performed on the second postoperative day of bypass surgery, and neurologic deficits gradually improved.