Dural tenting sutures in pediatric neurosurgery.

Dural tenting sutures were used on a selective basis in 329 consecutive cranial operations in children; 16 (4.8%) required dural tenting sutures for the control of epidural bleeding and 313 (95.2%) required no dural sutures. Dural tenting sutures were never placed for prophylaxis or to satisfy a routine. Reoperation for postoperative epidural hematoma was required in 1 child (0.3%) and that child was subsequently discovered to have hemophilia. The author concludes that there is no compelling evidence for the prophylactic use of dural tenting sutures in children.