Document Type
Article
Original Publication Date
2014
Journal/Book/Conference Title
World Neurosurgery
Volume
81
Issue
2
First Page
428
Last Page
430
DOI of Original Publication
10.1016/j.wneu.2013.01.022
Date of Submission
March 2015
Abstract
Objective: Myelomeningocele is a defect that is typically surgically repaired within the first few days of life in developed countries to minimize the risk of meningitis. If left unrepaired, these children may survive to have their meningocele sac epithelialize. The surgical reduction and closure of an epithelialized myelomeningocele represents a unique challenge for the neurosurgeon, as it requires a modification of the typical closure technique.
Methods: 10 years experience in 97 patients with the delayed (>6 months) repair of myelomeningoceles was the basis of this report. Results: Repair technique in a child with a myelomeningocele that was not repaired at birth presented a surgical challenge whose solutions are presented herein.
Conclusion: Delayed closure of myelomeningoceles is facilitated by adherence to lessons learned form surgical experience on medical missions to Guatemala.
Rights
Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc, NOTICE: this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in World Neurosurgery. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in World Neurosurgery Volume 81, Issue 2, February 2014, Pages 428–430, doi:10.1016/j.wneu.2013.01.022.
Is Part Of
VCU Neurosurgery Publications
Comments
Affiliations: Harold F. Young Neurosurgical Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA.
Published in final form at http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.wneu.2013.01.022.