• S D Hodges, S C Humphreys, J C Eck, and L A Covington.
• Chattanooga Orthopaedic Group, Foundation for Research, Tennessee, USA.
• Spine. 1999 Oct 1; 24 (19): 2062-4.

Study DesignA retrospective review of 20 patients with incidental durotomy treated without mandatory bed rest.ObjectivesTo determine whether patients with incidental durotomy can be treated effectively without multiple days of bed rest.Summary Of Background DataIncidental durotomy can cause postural headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, photophobia, tinnitus, and vertigo. These symptoms are believed to result from a decrease in cerebrospinal fluid pressure, leading to traction on the supporting structures of the brain. Traditional management includes bed rest for up to 7 days to eliminate traction and reduce hydrostatic pressure during the healing process.MethodsTwenty incidental durotomies were repaired intraoperatively with dural stitches and fibrin glue. Patients were allowed to ambulate according to the natural course after surgery without mandatory bed rest. Symptoms were monitored closely for 1 week, and long-term follow-up assessments were obtained at a minimum of 10 months.ResultsOf the 20 patients in this study, 75% had no symptoms after repair of the incidental durotomy. Each of the dural tears was 1-3 mm in length. Two patients reported headache, two reported nausea, and one reported tinnitus; no patients experienced vomiting. One patient (5%) had stitch loosening requiring revision surgery. There were no additional serious complications.ConclusionsThis study has shown that the majority of patients with incidental durotomy can be treated effectively with dural stitches and fibrin glue. Patients can be permitted to ambulate immediately after surgery but should be cautioned to lay flat if they develop symptoms. This will reduce the costs related to the hospital stay and missed work.

20 keywords...

hide…