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Quality of Life of Children Treated for Split Cord Malformation

Mehar Masroor1, Qurat-Ul-Ain Virani1, Saqib Kamran Bakhshi1

  • 1Section of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.

World Neurosurgery
|May 18, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Surgery for split cord malformation (SCM) in children leads to good neurologic outcomes and improved quality of life. This study highlights the benefits of surgical detethering for pediatric patients with SCM.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurosurgery
  • Spinal Cord Malformations
  • Quality of Life Research

Background:

  • Split cord malformation (SCM) is a congenital anomaly often requiring surgical detethering to address neurological deficits.
  • Evidence regarding the long-term quality of life (QoL) for pediatric patients post-SCM surgery is limited.
  • Understanding the impact of SCM treatment on children's QoL is crucial for comprehensive patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the postoperative quality of life in children who underwent surgical treatment for split cord malformation.
  • To assess the correlation between surgical intervention for SCM and patient-reported outcomes.
  • To analyze the impact of SCM surgery on neurological function and overall well-being in pediatric patients.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective cohort study of SCM patients operated between July 2012 and July 2022.
  • Inclusion of 25 pediatric patients with SCM, predominantly female, median age 7 years.
  • Quality of life assessed using Health Utility Index-3 (HUI-3) scores reported by guardians; clinical and neurological outcomes were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • The majority of patients (76%) presented with normal motor function; lumbar SCM was most common (48%).
  • Over a median follow-up of 3.3 years, 64% of patients maintained neurologic stability, and 16% improved.
  • The mean HUI-3 score for 21 children was 0.93 ± 0.24, indicating a positive QoL.

Conclusions:

  • Surgical management of SCM in children yields favorable neurologic outcomes.
  • The study demonstrates a positive long-term quality of life following SCM surgery, supported by HUI-3 scores.
  • Surgical intervention is effective in improving the lives of children diagnosed with split cord malformation.
Abstract

Keywords:
DiastematomyeliaHUI-3 scoreQuality of lifeSplit cord malformation

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