Operative treatment and prognosis of syringomyelia.

Twenty-two patients suffering from syringomyelia were treated operatively. Different shunt procedures were performed. Most often syringo-subarachnoid shunt (seven cases) and syringopleural shunt (eight cases) were used. Operative findings and complications were discussed. Postoperative improvement was observed in five patients, twelve were stable-unchanged, four showed further deterioration and one died. Operative treatment should be performed before gross neurological deficit is established.