Sacral-level myelomeningocele: long-term outcome in adults

We reviewed long-term outcome of 46 adult patients with sacral-level myelomeningocele with an average age of 23 years (range, 18-38). Data were collected from the medical records, computerized database, and a questionnaire. Thirty patients had high sacral lesions (weak gluteus medius, gluteus maximums, and gastroc/soleus), and 16 had low sacral lesions (fair to normal-strength gluteus medius, gluteus maximus, and gastroc/soleus). Thirteen patients had signs of tethered-cord syndrome, and 12 underwent neurosurgical release. Thirty-nine patients underwent a total of 217 orthopaedic surgeries. At the final follow-up, 41 (89.13%) patients were community ambulators. Thirty-two required no external support for walking. Twenty-nine patients used some kind of orthosis. Aggressive management of tethered-cord syndrome, surgical correction of musculoskeletal deformities, and avoidance of arthrodesis at the foot level may be the main factors in accounting for these results.