Serious spinal cord injury due to haematomyelia caused by spinal anaesthesia in a patient treated with low-dose heparin

Failed spinal anaesthesia for left total hip arthroplasty was followed postoperatively by dense motor paralysis and sensory deficit in the right leg. The patient had received a dose of subcutaneous heparin Ih before the spinal anaesthetic was attempted. She died of pulmonary embolism on the ninth postoperative day. At autopsy extensive haematomyelia was found in relation to the needle track.