My 82-year old mother had spine surgery and a rare complication. She became temporarily paralyzed from a hematoma. What causes this to happen?

A hematoma is a collection of blood, usually from internal bleeding. During any surgery, bleeding can occur when blood vessels are cut. Usually bleeding is controlled using special foam pads soaked in thrombin. Thrombin is part of the blood that helps form blood clots.

Surgeons also use electrocautery now to prevent blood loss. Heat is applied to any cut blood vessels to close them off right away. There is always a certain amount of fluid and blood loss with spinal surgery. Drains are usually left in place after the operation to prevent problems from fluid build-up.

In cases where patients had a second operation to remove the hematoma, surgeons were unable to tell where the bleeding originally came from. The body repairs the open or bleeding vessels.

It takes much longer to absorb the hematoma. During that time, the pressure on the spinal cord from the extra fluid in the spinal canal can cause pain, weakness, and even paralysis. Immediate treatment to remove the hematoma is required.