Fatal subdural haemorrhage following lumbar spinal drainage during repair of thoraco-abdominal aneurysm

A 63-year-old male patient collapsed and died from a major subdural haemorr hage 5 days after elective repair of a Type III thoraco-abdominal aortic an eurysm. The anaesthetic technique had included the use of a lumbar cerebros pinal fluid drain. The management of the patient is described, and the asso ciation between subdural haemorrhage and cerebrospinal fluid drainage is di scussed.