[Aspects of long-term management of children with myelomeningocele. Analysis of the last 10 years from the neuropediatric-neurosurgical viewpoint].

BACKGROUND

Both the use of a selective policy of treatment of newborns with myelomeningocele and the right time of back closure are still controversially discussed. We report our experiences in the long-term care of children with myelomeningocele.

METHODS

103 newborns with myelomeningocele (n = 94) and meningocele (n = 9) born 1980 to 1990 and cared for regularly at the Olgahospital's pediatric clinic were followed up from the neuropediatric-neurosurgical point of view. Postpartum we predominantly practised a selective policy of treatment.

RESULTS

15 of 21 children (71.4%) not operated on died during the first days or months of life, 6 (28.6%) survived. 70 were operated selectively, of which 9 (12.9%) died, 61 (87.1%) survived with mainly good result. There were no differences in the survival rate and frequency/type of postoperative complications with respect to the time of the back closure. 31 children with myelomeningocele (33%) had CNS anomalies other than the Arnold-Chiari-Malformation, mostly being a dys- or aplasia of the corpus callosum and a deformed ventricle system. These were diagnosed almost exclusively by CT or MRT scan.

CONCLUSIONS

We still predominantly practised a selective policy of treatment of newborns with myelomeningocele with mainly good results.