Anterior cervical micro-dural repair of cerebrospinal fluid fistula after surgery for ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament. Technical note.

BACKGROUND

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistulas may occur during anterior cervical surgery performed for the resection of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL), as OPLL occasionally erodes to and through the dura. These fistulas have been variously managed with gelfoam, dural substitutes sutured in place, fibrin glue, lumbar drains, and lumboperitoneal shunts. However, more adequate dural repair is now feasible with the 1.4-mm microdural titanium stapler.

METHODS

A 59-year-old female with OPLL and moderate to severe myelopathy (Nurick Grade IV) had a C3-C7 anterior corpectomy with fusion using Orion plates followed by a C3-T1 posterior wiring and fusion with halo application. During the anterior approach, a 5-mm CSF fistula at C4-C5 was directly repaired under the operating microscope using a 1.4-mm microdural stapler, bovine pericardial graft, and fibrin glue. Immediately postoperatively, a lumboperitoneal shunt was also placed.

RESULTS

Postoperatively, her myelopathy improved to a mild to moderate level (Nurick Grade II). Her acute left deltoid plegia resolved within 3 months.

CONCLUSIONS

The 1.4-mm microdural stapler makes "watertight" closure of anterior cervical CSF fistulas more feasible.