Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 10, 2026
Robot-assisted Total Mesorectal Excision and Lateral Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection for Locally Advanced Middle-low Rectal Cancer
Published on: February 12, 2022
[Surgical methods and techniques of lipomyelomeningocele in children]
Sheng-Li Huang1, Wei Shi, Li-Gen Zhang
1Department of Neurosurgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710004, China.
Insights
Early surgical intervention for lipomyelomeningocele in children is safe and effective. This study shows subtotal lipoma excision, pia mater suture, and terminal filum resection prevent neurological deficits.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurosurgery
- Spinal Dysraphism Research
Context:
- Lipomyelomeningocele is a congenital condition requiring surgical management.
- Evaluating surgical techniques for pediatric lipomyelomeningocele is crucial for improving outcomes.
Purpose:
- To investigate surgical treatment methods for pediatric lipomyelomeningocele.
- To assess the safety and efficacy of subtotal lipoma excision, spinal pia mater suture, and terminal filum resection.
Summary:
- Twenty-five children underwent surgery for lipomyelomeningocele, involving subtotal lipoma excision, pia mater suture, and terminal filum resection.
- Postoperative follow-up (1-4 years) showed no complications, with 18 patients remaining asymptomatic and 7 symptomatic patients improving.
- Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed no tethered cord in any patient after surgery.
Impact:
- Early surgical intervention for lipomyelomeningocele can prevent neurological deterioration.
- The described surgical approach is safe and effective in managing pediatric lipomyelomeningocele.
- This study supports prompt surgical treatment to improve functional outcomes in affected children.
Objective:
To investigate the methods and techniques of surgical treatment of lipomyelomeningocele in children.
Methods:
From January 2004 to March 2007, twenty-five children aged from 2 months to 6 years with lipomyelomeningocele were operated on. Magnetic resonance imaging and electromyogram had been conducted to all the patients. The operation was composed of subtotal excision of lipomas, suture of spinal pia mater and resection of terminal filum. The results of treatment were evaluated by Hoffman's functional grading scheme for lipomyelomeningocele.
Results:
After operation, all the patients recovered and were released from hospital. No complications, including cerebrospinal fluid leakage and infection occurred. During the follow-up of 1 - 4 years, 18 asymptomatic patients' neurological function were normal and there was no deterioration, 7 symptomatic patients improved. Among the 7 patients, 4 patients had higher function grades compared with their preoperative assessments, and the other stayed in the same grades but with symptoms improved. Magnetic resonance imaging showed no tethered cord in all the patients postoperatively.
Conclusions:
For lipomyelomeningocele, early operation should be performed to prevent the development of neurological defect. It is safe and effective to adopt subtotal excision of lipomas, suture of spinal pia mater, and resection of terminal filum.
