Results of surgical treatment of myelomeningocele.
The aim of this study was to analyse the long-term outcome of children and adolescents born with myelomeningocele.


METHODS
Sixty-six children aged from 3 to 21 years old, all patients of the Paediatric Surgery Clinic of the Medical Academy in Białystok, were evaluated. The hospital records were reviewed and data was obtained from parents, using a questionnaire designed by authors. The material was classified with respect to the degree of disability using Lagergren's scale.


RESULTS
15 (23 %) patients had no physical or mental handicap, 18 (27 %) were moderately handicapped, 20 (30 %) were severely handicapped, 13 (20 %) were very severely handicapped.


CONCLUSIONS
A higher spinal cord lesion, hydrocephalus and complications due to its surgical management had a negative influence on development of children born with myelomeningocele.
Matuszczak
E
E
Paediatric Surgery Clinic of Medical Academy, ul. Waszyngtona 17, 15-274 Białystok, Poland.
Lenkiewicz
T
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019988:Children with Disabilities; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000453:epidemiology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000453:epidemiology; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000453:epidemiology; D008591:Meningomyelocele / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000453:epidemiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000453:epidemiology