Radical removal of lipomas of the conus and cauda equina with laser microneurosurgery.

Ten patients with ages ranging from 4 weeks to 21 years presented with a subcutaneous lumbosacral mass noted at birth. After spinal high resolution ultrasonography or computed tomography to determine the extent of neural involvement and the length of the tumor mass in the spinal canal, the patients underwent operation. Rectal electromyographic continuous monitoring was used in all for assessment of the S-2 and S-3 function during dissection. Carbon dioxide laser microneurosurgery was used in all operations. Radiating energy was used for the subcutaneous mass removal (40 to 60 W), the intracanalicular dissection (1 to 5 W), and the intraconus dissection (1 to 3 W). A radical removal was obtained in all. Postoperative cerebrospinal fluid fistula occurred in 1 patient and was successfully treated. Wound dehiscence that healed with secondary closure occurred in 2 patients. Would infection that required treatment with systemic antibiotics and topical therapy occurred in 1 patient. Paraplegia occurred in 1 patient. This was the single very significant complication of this series. It was thought to have occurred because of the polymer used to seal the tenuous dura mater at the time of closure. We conclude that, with carbon dioxide laser microneurosurgery, the lipomatous tumors can be removed safely from the neural structures of the conus and cauda.