Fleece-Bound Tissue Sealing in Microvascular Decompression.
OBJECTIVE
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage is a feared complication after microvascular decompression (MVD). In this study, we present our experience of fleece-bound tissue sealing in MVD with an aim to minimize the rate of postoperative CSF leakage.


METHODS
We treated 50 patients (female/male: 26/24) with neurovascular compression (NVC) syndromes (trigeminal neuralgia, hemifacial spasm and glossopharyngeal neuralgia) by MVD from 2003 to 2006. All patients underwent retromastoid craniectomy and duraplasty by fleece-bound tissue sealing using the so-called "sandwich technique" by a three-layer reconstruction and cranioplasty.


RESULTS
In 49 (98%) of 50 patients, we did not observe postoperative CSF leakage. One patient (2%) suffered postoperative CSF leakage and required surgical revision.


CONCLUSIONS
Fleece-bound tissue sealing by a three-layer reconstruction is effective and safe in the prevention of cerebrospinal fluid leakage in microvascular decompression.
Hannover Nordstadt Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, Hannover, Germany.
Levent
L
Tanrikulu
Michael
M
Buchfelder
Ramin
R
Naraghi
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D065634:Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D003399:Craniotomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D020435:Glossopharyngeal Nerve Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D019569:Hemifacial Spasm / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D061145:Microvascular Decompression Surgery / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery; D012086:Reoperation; D012886:Skull / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014277:Trigeminal Neuralgia / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult