OBJECTIVETo explore the effectiveness of absorbable hemostatic fluid gelatin in preventing postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leakage.

METHODSThe clinical data of 17 patients with dura mater tear were retrospectively analyzed from March to September in 2003. There were 16 males and 1 female, aged from 16 to 67 years old with an average of (39.6 ± 15.4) years. The injury site was at cervical vertebrae in 1 case, thoracic vertebrae in 9 cases, thoracolumbar junction in 4 cases, lumbar vertebrae in 3 cases. There were burst fracture in 4 cases and fracture-dislocation in 13 cases. According to ASIA grade, 12 cases were grade A, 2 cases were grade B, 2 cases were grade D, 1 case were grade E. Two cases caused by traffic accident, 10 by high falling, 4 by heavy parts crash, 1 by stairs fell during the earthquake. Absorbable hemostatic fluid gelatins were used to plug the dura mater tear,in order to prevent postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leakage. Postoperative drainage were recorded every day.

RESULTSOf 17 patients, 15 cases did not develop with cerebrospinal fluid leakage. Two cases develop with cerebrospinal fluid leakage after operation and their drainage were removed at 6 to 7 days after operation. In all cases, no complications related with cerebrospinal fluid leakage occurred, such as headache, dizzy, fever,neck resistance, rash, incision disunion, incision infection, hematoma, neurologic symptoms aggravation. No abnormal phenomena was found on incision surrounding at follow-up of 9 months.

CONCLUSIONUsing absorbable hemostatic fluid gelatin to plug the dura mater tear during operation is an effective method in preventing postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leakage.