Spinal cord ischemia

Abstract

Spinal cord ischemia with a resulting neurological deficit remains a devastating complication following thoracoabdominal aortic surgery. It has been reported to occur in 0-40% of patients undergoing aortic surgery, depending upon the type of pathology present as well as circumstances present at the time of operation (1-8). Clinical presentation can range from somatosensory loss to complete flaccid paralysis immediately following surgery or delayed presentation up to several weeks postoperatively.