title: Silastic dural substitute: experience of its use in spinal and foramen magnum surgery.
abstract: In an attempt to prevent tethering following intradural procedures in the spine or at the foramen magnum silastic film has been inserted as a dural substitute. Magnetic resonance imaging has enabled us to judge the effectiveness of this material in preventing tethering at the operative site. Our experience of Silastic dura substitute in 43 paediatric and adult cases is discussed, and illustrated together with a description of the technique of insertion and an analysis of the complications associated with its use.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, National Hospital for Neurology, London, UK.
authors.forename: D N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: W F
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Hayward
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004388:Dura Mater / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004677:Encephalocele / Q000601:surgery; D005539:Foramen Magnum / Q000601:surgery*; D018325:Hemangioblastoma / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007796:Laminectomy; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012826:Silicone Elastomers; D016136:Spina Bifida Occulta / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D016135:Spinal Dysraphism / Q000601:surgery*; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D012826:Silicone Elastomers