Complication Avoidance in Chiari Malformation Surgery

Posterior fossa decompression for symptomatic Chiari malformation is an effective and frequently performed procedure, but it does carry risks of significant complications including cerebrospinal fluid leak and craniocervical instability. Patients sometimes do not improve or worsen after decompression, which may discourage neurosurgeons from performing Chiari decompression surgery. In this chapter, management strategies and surgical approaches are discussed that minimize the risks of complications and maximize favorable outcomes in Chiari malformation surgery.