Functional improvement after spinal surgery for the dysraphic malformations.

Spinal surgery for the various dysraphic malformations is generally indicated to arrest disease progression. The results of the present study suggest that certain clinical conditions and presentations are associated with an exceptionally good surgical prognosis. Sixty-nine procedures were done in 55 patients. The diagnoses included hydromyelia and tethered cord related to diastematomyelia, lipoma, lipomeningocele, previous operation, and thickened filum terminale. The operative results were evaluated for significant functional neurological and urological improvement, as well as for the relief of pain. Pain relief was achieved in 92% of patients with preoperative pain. Significant functional return was seen in 67% of hydromyelia patients. On the other hand, surgical treatment of tethered cord caused improvement in 24% (lipoma) to 46% (thickened filum and diastematomyelia). These results suggest that patients with hydromyelia and patients with a dysraphic malformation and pain have an excellent prognosis after operation. A re-evaluation of the indications for surgery for these patients may be necessary.