title: Duration of the horizontal decubitus position for prevention of cerebrospinal fluid leakage following transection of a tight filum terminale.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The untethering of a tethered spinal cord in patients with a tight filum terminale is a relatively simple procedure that can prevent or improve neurological symptoms. Postoperatively, patients are usually kept in the horizontal decubitus position to prevent a CSF leak. However, the optimal period for keeping patients flat has not been determined yet. The authors compared 2 cohorts with different periods of horizontal decubitus; one with 72 hours and the other with 8 days.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors retrospectively analyzed surgical results in 2 cohorts of pediatric patients who had tethered spinal cord with a tight filum terminale. One cohort was maintained flat for 8 days and the other cohort for 72 hours postoperatively. The patients' charts were reviewed for demographic data, clinical presentation, surgical therapy, and clinical course.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three hundred fifty-four patients underwent sectioning of a tight filum terminale. Of those, 238 were kept lying flat for 8 days postoperatively, and 116 were maintained flat for 72 hours. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed 1 to 2 weeks after the surgery. None of the patients in either cohort developed a CSF leak. Pseudomeningocele, which was confirmed by MRI, developed in 1 patient who had been kept flat for 8 days. The occurrence rates of a CSF leak and pseudomeningocele were not significantly different in either cohort.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Keeping patients flat for longer than 72 hours did not change the rate of postoperative CSF leakage or pseudomeningocele. Seventy-two hours or less would be an appropriate period for maintaining patients flat after transection of a tight filum terminale.
authors: Division of Neurosurgery, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: Hideki
authors: H
authors: Ogiwara
authors: Masahiro
authors: M
authors: Joko
authors: Michiko
authors: M
authors: Takado
authors: Kodai
authors: K
authors: Uematsu
authors: Masahiro
authors: M
authors: Kameda
authors: Natsu
authors: N
authors: Sasaki
authors: Masashi
authors: M
authors: Kitagawa
authors: Nobuhito
authors: N
authors: Morota
mesh_terms: D002420:Cauda Equina / Q000601:surgery*; D065634:Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008588:Meningocele / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000601:surgery*; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016683:Supine Position; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: cerebrospinal fluid leakage; spine; tight filum terminale; untethering