Management of cerebrospinal fluid leakage complicated in anterior cervical surgery / 中华骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the management and outcome of cerebrospinal fluid leakage(CSFL)complicating anterior cervical surgery.Methods1052patients were performed anterior cervical surgery between October1997and October2002.Of 1052cases,926cases were of cervical spondylotic myelopathy(CSM),and126of ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL).11patients suffered from cerebrospinal fluid leakage during operation.There were8males and3females aging from46to72years(average,58years).In the group of CSM,there were2cases of CSFL(0.22%)occurred in resection of osteophyte of the posterior vertebral edge,who were serious CSM of C 4,5 and C 5,6 with severe anterior compression by osseous mass to spinal cord showed on MRI.In the group of OPLL,there were9cases of CSFL(7.14%)occurred in resection of the ossified posterior longitudinal ligament accompanied with severe spinal canal stenosis and anterior compression to spinal cord on radiological imagings,4of them were con-tinuous OPLL from C 2 to C 6 combined with herniation of cervical disc,3segmental,and2mixed.Results The defect area of spinal dura were(0.6～2.0)cm?(1.0～1.5)cm.The cerebrospinal fluid was blocked with fascia and absorbable gelatin sponge during the operation.If CSFL was persistent more than3days after oper-ation,expectant treatment was performed.After the operation,no CSFL occurred in8of 11patients,and the other3cases with postoperative CSFL were cured5,14and17days by dressing change,blocking the wound with gelatin sponge,and suturing of the wound respectively.All patients were followed up for 10to62months(mean,26months).No cerebrospinal fluid cyst and infection occurred.There were no significant negative effects of CSFL on the recovery of neuromuscular function.Conclusion CSFL following cervical anterior surgery can be cured by blocking up leakage of spinal dura during operation,however,conventional conservative treatment including of dressing change,antibiotics administration,horizontal position with low pillow are necessary after operation.