• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.640-643
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• 2000

Objective : In neurosurgical practice, it has been generally accepted that when the dura is opened, it should be watertightly closed, and traditionally non-watertight closure has not been performed. We clinically tried non-watertight closure, analyzed the frequency of CSF leakage and evaluated the possible clinical application of non-watertight closure. Methods : After classifying our cases with supratentorial and infratentorial approach, we tried non-watertight and watertight closures and compared the results. We also analyzed the cases with or without dural graft. Results : In supratentorial approach, the rate of cerebrospinal fluid leakage noted in non-watertight closure was similar to that of watertight closure. In infratentorial approach, except microvascular decompression(MVD), the rate of cerebrospinal fluid leakage in non-watertight closure was higher than that of watertight closure. Dura graft application did not seemed to influence the cerebrospinal fluid leakage. Conclusion : Since the frequency of cerebrospinal fluid leakage was not higher in non-watertight closure than that of watertight closure, non-watertight closure can be applied in supratentorial approach. In infratentorial approach, non-watertight closure may be applied in surgery with relatively short dural incision, such as MVD. However, non-watertight closure doesn't seem to be appropriate in surgery that requires wide dural incision, such as skull base surgery.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.53 no.5
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• pp.300-302
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• 2013

Reports of traumatic leptomeningeal cysts (TLMC) are rare in adults. The standard treatment approach is craniectomy with careful exposure of the intact dural edges, followed by duroplasty. However, occasionally, the location of the TLMC makes achieving watertight duroplasty impossible. Herein, we report the case of a 28-year-old male who presented with a soft growing mass on the vertex of his head 16 months after the head trauma. Upon enhanced CT examination, a bony defect involving both the inner and outer table of the cranium was observed close to the sagittal sinus, and a well-defined cystic mass, 5 cm in diameter, was nested within the defect. The risks associated with extension craniotomy were high because the lesion was located superficial to the sagittal sinus, we opted to use fibrinogen-based collagen fleece (TachoCombR$^{(R)}$) to repair the dural defect. Two months after surgery, the patient remained asymptomatic with a good cosmetic result. In cases like ours, when the defect is near the major sinuses and the risk of rupturing the sinus during watertight dural closure is high, fibrinogen-based collagen fleece (TachoCombR$^{(R)}$) is an effective alternative approach to standard dural suture techniques.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.58 no.1
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• pp.60-64
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• 2015

Objective : To present the incidence and management of dural tears and cerebrospinal fluid leakage during corrective osteotomy [Pedicle Subtraction Osteotomy (PSO) or Smith-Petersen Osteotomy (SPO)] for ankylosing spondylitis with kyphotic deformity. Methods : A retrospective study was performed for ankylosing spondylitis patients with fixed sagittal imbalance, who had undergone corrective osteotomy (PSO or SPO) at lumbar level. 87 patients were included in this study. 55 patients underwent PSO, 32 patients underwent SPO. The mean age of the patients at the time of surgery was 41.7 years (21-70 years). Of the 87 patients, 15 patients had intraoperative dural tears. Results : The overall incidence of dural tears was 17.2%. The incidence of dural tears during PSO was 20.0%, SPO was 12.5%. There was significant difference in the incidence of dural tears based on surgical procedures ( PSO vs. SPO) (p<0.05). The dural tears ranged in size from 12 to $221mm^2$. A nine of 15 patients had the relatively small dural tears, underwent direct repair via watertight closure. The remaining 6 patients had the large dural tears, consequently direct repair was impossible. The large dural tears were repaired with an on-lay graft of muscle, fascia or fat harvested from the adjacent operation site. All patients had a successful repair with no patient requiring reoperation for the cerebrospinal fluid leak. Conclusion : The overall incidence of dural tears during PSO or SPO for ankylosing spondylitis with kyphotic deformity was 17.2%. The risk factor of dural tears was complexity of surgery. All dural tears were repaired primarily using direct suture, muscle, fascia or fat graft.