Secondary tethered cord syndrome in spinal dysraphism

Secondary tethered cord syndrome following initial repair for spinal dysraphism is an important area of interest. In this study, 32 cases with spinal dysraphism in the lumbosacral region were enrolled, in whom radical repair with autologous material had been carried out in the early stage soon after birth. During the follow-up period of up to 19 years 10 months, surgery was considered to be indicated in 2 of the 8 lipomeningocele cases and in 6 of the 24 meningocele and meningomyelocele cases, because of the presence of tethered cord syndrome 4–19 years after the primary operation. In all 8 of these cases, MR imaging demonstrated tethered spinal cord in the form of low conus medullaris. In 6 of the 8 operated cases surgery was followed by improvement of the spinal neurological deterioration. According to our experience, early untethering for secondary tethered cord syndrome is essential. In addition, since the complications of Silastic duraplasty at untethering were all minor and the operative outcome was satisfactory, the use of silicone rubber sheeting as a dural substitute might be recommended to prevent adhesion of the spinal cord. Received: 10 May 1999 Revised: 1 October 1999