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Tissue expansion for the treatment of myelomeningocele. Case report
H P Gullestad1, G Bretteville, T Lundar
1Department of Plastic Surgery, State University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
Insights
A large myelomeningocele defect in an infant was successfully closed using tissue expanders after initial shunt surgery. This innovative approach facilitated adequate soft tissue coverage for the 13 x 10 cm defect.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Neurosurgery
- Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Background:
- Myelomeningocele is a severe birth defect requiring surgical intervention.
- Infants with myelomeningocele often require cerebrospinal fluid diversion, such as a ventriculoperitoneal shunt.
- Challenges can arise with the closure and healing of large myelomeningocele defects.
Abstract:
A baby boy who had been born with a large myelomeningocele had a ventriculoperitoneal shunt inserted at the age of 6 months. Two months later it was revised, after which he developed satisfactorily both mentally and physically. He presented at the age of 13 months because the epithelialisation of the myelomeningocele was both fragile and incomplete. Enough soft tissue was obtained to cover the defect, which was 13 x 10 cm, by the use of two 600 ml expanders placed subcutaneously one on either side of the deformity.