Postoperative epidural hematoma as a complication of anterior cervical discectomy. Report of three cases.

In three cases, anterior cervical discectomy was complicated by acute postoperative paraplegia secondary to epidural hematomas at the operative sites. Prompt evacuation of the hematomas was followed by recovery in each instance. The source of bleeding was an arterial arcade that may be encountered during the course of removing the posterior longitudinal ligament. As a result of this experience, the authors suggest steps to be taken to avoid this uncommon complication.