Efficacy of a novel drainage catheter in the treatment of CSF leak after posterior spine surgery: A retrospective cohort study.

PURPOSE

This work aimed to evaluate and analyze the efficacy and safety of modified drainage and catheterization in the treatment of cerebrospinal fluid leakage (CSFL) after posterior spinal surgery.

METHODS

A total of 12 patients with CSFL were selected from June 2020 to June 2023. The modified drainage technique was used to treat CSFL. The perioperative index, including the duration of drainage tube placement, was observed. The study also assessed the amount of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage, the healing time of the drainage wound, the occurrence of other complications, the effectiveness of the drainage procedure, and the length of hospital stay.

RESULTS

Among the patients with CSFL, the mean drainage time was 6.2 ± 0.8 days, the healing time of the drainage wound was 9.6 ± 1.7 days, and the hospital stay was 7.5 ± 1.0 days. The total volume of CSF drainage was 488.6 ± 55.3 mL. Furthermore, no cases of retrograde infection, drainage orifice exudate, or drainage wound nonunion were reported in this study.

CONCLUSION

This preliminary study demonstrates that the modified catheterization technique is effective in reducing the duration of CSFL and promoting rapid wound healing. Additionally, the novel drainage catheter shows advantages in terms of reducing the incidence of infection and other related complications.