Abstract:

Aim: In this study, it was aimed to retrospectively evaluate the preoperative, peroperative and postoperative data of operated meningomyelocele patients. Materials and Methods: Meningomyelocele patients who were operated between January 2018 and March 2020 were found from the hospital database and examined retrospectively. Demographic data, birth data, neurological status, surgical findings, radiological data, postoperative follow-ups and results were evaluated. Results: Ten of the patients were girls and 11 were boys. Twenty patients were operated in the first 48 hours. One patient was operated on the 6th postpartum day. Hydrocephalus developed in 18 of the patients and a ventriculoperitoneal shunt was inserted. Three patients had skin necrosis, one patient had wound infection and cerebro-spinal fluid fistula. In one patient, shunt revision was performed due to shunt dysfunction during follow-up. All patients were discharged from the neonatal intensive care unit with recovery. Conclusions: Meningomyelocele patients are at risk of meningitis, sepsis, and neurological deficits that may progress from the time of birth. Multidisciplinary close follow-up and early surgery are important in reducing complications.