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Published:
Feb 22, 2005Keywords:
Central Nervous System (CNS) clinical features Myelomeningocele (MMC) Outcome prediction Surgery
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Predicating Outcome Following Surgery For Myelomeningocele: A Upth Experience
Abstract
Objectives: To evaluate outcome of treatment in children with myelomeningocele, and determine to what extent the clinical features at presentation can be utilized in predication of this outcome.
Patients and methods: This study included patients with myelomeningocele admitted into the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital over a two year period. All of them were operated upon by the same team using standard techniques.
Results: Neurological impairment was least severe and outcome of surgery was most favorable in those children with small and lowlying defects.
Conclusion: Management of the Neural Tube Defects, especially myelomeningocele, poses special problems. The results of surgery are not always satisfactory; and there is no consensus regarding surgical indications. The outcome following surgery probably depends on interplay of several factors. Our findings, however, confirm that the most important predictors of severity and perhaps the postoperative outcome are the level and size of the defect.
KEY WORDS: Central Nervous System (CNS); clinical features; Myelomeningocele (MMC); Outcome prediction; Surgery.
Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice Vol.5(2) 2002: 103-105
Patients and methods: This study included patients with myelomeningocele admitted into the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital over a two year period. All of them were operated upon by the same team using standard techniques.
Results: Neurological impairment was least severe and outcome of surgery was most favorable in those children with small and lowlying defects.
Conclusion: Management of the Neural Tube Defects, especially myelomeningocele, poses special problems. The results of surgery are not always satisfactory; and there is no consensus regarding surgical indications. The outcome following surgery probably depends on interplay of several factors. Our findings, however, confirm that the most important predictors of severity and perhaps the postoperative outcome are the level and size of the defect.
KEY WORDS: Central Nervous System (CNS); clinical features; Myelomeningocele (MMC); Outcome prediction; Surgery.
Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice Vol.5(2) 2002: 103-105
