Background: Refractory intracranial hypertension often is treated with craniectomy to prevent herniation and irreversible neurologic decline in those with salvageable brain injuries.
Objective: We report 3 cases of iatrogenic abdominal hematoma at the site of craniectomy implantation secondary to abdominal subcutaneous deep vein thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis.
Methods: A retrospective chart review of patients with abdominal wound complications after craniectomy and abdominal bone flap implantation at the University of Florida from 2004 to 2008 was performed.
Results: Three patients receiving subcutaneous DVT prophylaxis via abdominal injections developed hematomas at the site of abdominal implantation. The hematomas occurred 17 days, 20 days, and 6 weeks postoperatively. All required urgent hematoma evacuation. All had evidence of needle sticks overlying the implantation site.
Conclusion: To reduce the potential risk of wound hematoma, DVT prophylaxis injections should be performed remote to the surgical site in craniectomized patients with abdominal bone flap implantation.