Paraplegia following resection of abdominal aortic aneurysm a report of 3 cases

Abstract Three cases of paraplegia following elective resection of an abdominal aortic aneurysm are presented. In each case the aorta was clamped below the renal arteries, but infarction of the spinal cord resulted from occlusion of the upper lumbar or lower intercostal and upper lumbar arteries by thrombosis or from dissection of the aortic wall proximal to the graft. In 2 cases the onset of paraplegia was in the early postoperative period, but in the third case, paralysis followed an aortic dissection occurring after a long interval. The blood-supply of the spinal cord and the aetiology of the paraplegia are discussed.