Simultaneous intra-operative repair for inadvertent dural tear under posterior lumbar disk scope.

Abstract

To introduce a microsurgical suture technique for repair of dural tear under posterior lumbar disk scope. Micro endoscopic discectomy was performed on a 26-year-old male under local anesthesia. During the operation, an irregular tear of about 1.0 cm was inadvertently made in the dura.The cauda equina herniated through the tear with fluctuations and leakage of cerebrospinal fluid. The tear was successfully sutured with a 7/0 microsurgical thread which was held by small disk forceps in a parallel position. Once the repair had been performed, minor cerebrospinal fluid leakage persisted but there was no herniation of the cauda equina. The original planned operation was completed smoothly under posterior lumbar disk scope. The microsurgical suture technique for dural tear under posterior lumbar disk scope described here is simple and reliable. © 2011 Tianjin Hospital and Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.