Spina bifida repair; Myelomeningocele repair; Myelomeningocele closure

How well a patient does depends on the initial condition of the spinal cord and nerves. Possible outcomes range from normal development to various types of paralysis (paraplegia). With treatment, greater than 85% of infants survive, and about 50% will be able to walk.

Hydrocephalus ("water on the brain") develops in about 70% of patients with myelomeningocele. Some patients have hydrocephalus when they are born.

Patients usually spend about 2 weeks in the hospital after surgery and must lay flat without touching the wound area. A tube to drain urine out of the body (bladder catheterization) is usually needed.

Images

Central nervous system

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Meningocele repair Prevention

Review Date: 10/16/2006
Reviewed By: J.A. Lee, M.D., Assistant Professor of Surgery, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)