Early surgical complications of spina bifida

Abstract

In our daily practice, most myelomeningoceles are closed within 48 hours of birth. In case of an unstable child, closure may be safely de layed for up to 72 hours without an increase in complications [1-3]. Early postoperative mortality for myelomeningocele repair is near zero; however, the morbidity due to complications of the repair can be significant [2, 4-8]. These complications may affect the patient's quality of life and are usually due to faulty techniques that are by and large preventable. © 2008 Springer-Verlag Italia.