"Curtain-fall" technique for cerebrospinal fluid leak prevention after removal of intradural drainage. Technical...

Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is frequently met in neurosurgical practice and often need urgent surgical treatment in case of neurological deterioration. Different surgical approaches to evacuate CSDH are described in the literature. In our experience, an external drainage system is crucial in order to avoid recurrences. We recently encountered a case of subcutaneous CSF collection after drainage removal. Thus, we developed a simple surgical technique to prevent postoperative CSF leak after subdural drainage system removal.

We have developed a technique in which the periosteum is harvested during the surgery prior to the evacuation of the hemorrhage and fixed with sutures on the uncut dura mater opposite and laterally to the exit of the catheter exiting the dural hole caused by the passage of the Jackson-Pratt subdural drainage system. When the drainage catheter is removed, the flap, partially held by the sutures, falls over the hole avoiding CSF leakage. By using this technique, the small dural hole will be covered with the periosteum allowing for natural closure and wound healing hence preventing CSF leakage.

This technique was successfully employed in 21 patients who didn't develop postoperative CSF leakage following CSDH evacuation and removal of subdural drainage system.

In this technical note, we describe a safe dura closure technique that we developed to help reduce the risk of postoperative CSF leakage following subdural drainage removal, which can, however, also be applied in all surgeries in which a catheter is placed in the subdural space.