OBJECTIVETo investigate the management and outcome of cerebrospinal fluid leakage (CSFL) after cervical surgery.

METHODSMedical records of 642 patients who underwent cervical surgery between December 1999 and December 2005 at our hospital were retrospectively reviewed. Five patients complicated by CSFL after surgery were enrolled, of which 4 cases were complicated after ossified posterior longitudinal ligament or posterior vertebral osteophyte resection directly injuring the dura, and 1 case after posterior cervical double-door laminoplasty without observed dural injury during surgery. Of the 5 CSFL cases, 4 cases occurred at 1-3 days after operation and 1 case at 9 days after operation. All 5 postoperative CSFL cases were treated through wound drainage removal, wound sutures, prophylactic antibiotics, and continuous subarachnoid drainage in the elevated head position.

RESULTSAll 5 CSFL cases experienced leakage cessation within 1-3 days and wound healing within 4-8 days, and subarachnoid drainage lasted 11-16 days with an average volume of 320 mL (range, 150-410 mL). Four cases experienced headache, nausea and vomiting, 1 case suffered from somnolence and hyponatremia, and symptoms subsided after symptomatic treatment and intravenous fluid administration. All patients were followed up for an average of 32 months (range, 22-50 months). No occurrence of cerebrospinal fluid cyst or wound infection was observed. CSFL produced no significant negative effects upon neuromuscular function recovery.

CONCLUSIONContinuous subarachnoid cavity drainage in combination with elevated head position is a simple and safe non-surgical method in treatment of CSFL following cervical surgery.