ABSTRACT
Meningomyelocele is the most common congenital anomaly of the central nerves system [CNS].It is not only a spinal cord anomaly; associate hindbrain abnormalities, hydrocephalus, bladder, and bowel disturbance, and orthopedic deformities make a team effort necessary. We reviewed our patients with meningomyelocele and evaluated their early and long-term outcomes. We included 45 patients with meningomyelocele operated on between 1990 and 2004 in this study. The medical records were reviewed from the aspects of neurological and physical findings, surgery performed, and complications. Parental age and education were analyzed when available. The chiary-square test was used for the statiscal analyses. There werel9 boys [42.2%] and 26 girls [57.8%]. The lumbar region was the site of the meningomyelocele in 27 patients [62%].Patients with cervical and sacral meningomyelocele had a higher rate of normal motor function than those with meningomyelocele at other levels [p=0.0001].We also noted that the higher the location of meningomyelocele, the greater the control of both sphincters [p=0.0013]. The management of children with meningomyelocele needs a team approach. The majority of patients can have a normal IQ and a socially acceptable degree of continence and be able to walk. The patients should be treated with aggressive therapies whenever possible