Outcome of continuous lumbar subarachnoid drainage for postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leakage

English Keywords:Cerebrospinal fluid leakage  Spine surgery  Continuous lumbar subarachnoid drainage  Outcome

English Abstract:

  【Abstract】 Objective：To evaluate the outcome of continuous lumbar subarachnoid drainage（CLSD） for postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leakage（CSFL）.Method：Of 982 cases undergoing spine surgery from March 2003 to July 2010，45 cases suffered from postoperative CSFL，of these，CLSD was performed in 26 cases，while 23 cases suffering from simple CSFL underwent CLSD，2 cases suffering from CSFL complicated with intracranial infection underwent CLSD plus intrathecal administration of antibiotics，1 case suffering from CSFL complicated with intracranial infection and deep wound infection underwent CLSD plus intrathecal，administration of antibiotics and debridement.Result：26 patients healed completely with the average drainage time of 7.2 days.No recurrence of CSFL，intracranial infection and wound infection were noted.Of 23 cases with simple CSFL，22 cases had CSFL ceased 2 days after CSLD，and 1 case ceased 5 days after CSLD，the average drainage time was 6.7 days.2 cases with CSFL and intracranial infections had CSFL ceased 2 days after CSLD，and the drainage time was 9 days.1 case with CSFL and intracranial as well as deep wound infection healed completely 14 days after CLSD and intrathecal administration of antibiotics.Conclusion：CLSD remains a reliable and effective treatment for postoperative CSFL.