title: Surgical complications of open spinal dysraphism.
abstract: The embryogenesis, closure technique, and preoperative preparation of open myelomeningocele are described in this article. Both early and late complications of myelomeningocele closure are discussed with respect to predisposing factors, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. These complications include worsened neurological level, wound dehiscence, wound infection, cerebrospinal fluid leak, postoperative ileus, symptomatic Chiari malformation, shunt infection, necrotizing enterocolitis, and problems related to kyphectomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, USA.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pang
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008591:Meningomyelocele / Q000196:embryology / Q000601:surgery*; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011247:Pregnancy; D012307:Risk Factors; D016137:Spina Bifida Cystica / Q000196:embryology / Q000601:surgery*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000196:embryology / Q000601:surgery; D013536:Suture Techniques; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology