Summary
Background
The goals of this study were to review the outcome of the surgical procedure and hospitalization
associated with meningomyelocele repair, and to examine the results of different closure
strategies.
Methods
Eighty-three consecutive patients having surgery for meningomyelocele over a ten year
period form the basis of this study. Thirty-two closures with a mean defect size preoperatively
of 11.5 cm2 were performed by the neurosurgeon (ADP), and fifty-one closures with a mean defect
size of 28.4 cm2 by the plastic surgeon (MFA).
Results
Defects up to 12 cm2 were closed with local advancement fasciocutaneous flaps. As defect size increased,
latissimus muscle flaps were added in 30 (36%) and gluteus muscle in 16 (19%). In
recent years, 18 patients (21.6%) with a mean defect of 29 cm2 were treated with overlapping of deepithelialized fasciocutaneous flaps to add an
additional layer of coverage to the dural closure.
There were 9 major complications, 6 requiring reoperation. There were 10 minor wound
failures managed conservatively. Mean hospital stay was 24.2 days. Re-operation increased
length of stay to 45 days (p < 0.0001). Minor wound problems added 6 days to mean hospital stay. Wound failure
did not correlate with either defect size or closure technique. Thoracic location
was associated with increased wound failure (p < 0.05). Use of a shunt did not increase morbidity. All closures remained durable
after discharge.
Conclusions
Location in the thoracic area predicts major wound failure and need for reoperation.
Wound complications significantly increase hospital stay. The use of a variety of
techniques to achieve multi-layered closures leads to durable coverage for defects
of all sizes.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: February 10, 2012
Accepted:
October 6,
2011
Received:
July 25,
2011
Identification
Copyright
© 2012 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
