Assessment of neurosurgical outcome in children prenatally diagnosed with myelomeningocele and development of a protocol for fetal surgery to prevent hydrocephalus.

INTRODUCTION

Prenatal diagnosis of myelomeningocele (MMC) has permitted a better planning for optimum management of the disease. More recently, it has allowed for a possible intrauterine repair of the spinal defect.

OBJECTIVE

To describe neurosurgical outcome in children with myelomeningocele and follow-up at a referral center in Fetal Medicine. Patients were characterized for the development of a protocol suitable for fetal surgery, and fetuses who were possible candidates for intrauterine surgery were identified.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective descriptive analysis was performed of 98 cases of fetal myelomeningocele, seen at CAISM-UNICAMP, from January 1994 to December 2002, identifying cases with a possible indication for fetal surgery.

RESULTS

Mean gestational age at diagnosis was 29 weeks (17-39); level of lesion was above the sacral region in 92.84%; association with hydrocephalus occurred in 78.57%. During clinical course, 82.5% of patients had neurogenic bladder and 60% had neural and mental deficits. Potential intrauterine repair rate was 11.57%, using criteria from the protocol developed in our service.

CONCLUSION

Myelomeningocele is associated with severe and frequent sequelae. In virtually 12% of our cases, fetal surgery could have been offered as a therapeutic option.