Pseudomeningocele is an extradural cerebrospinal fluid collection arising from a dural defect, that may be congenital, traumatic, or more commonly as a result of postoperative complication. Majority of the postoperative pseudomeningoceles occurring after lumbar spine surgeries are small and resolve spontaneously. However, large pseudomeningoceles are rare and spontaneous resolution of such pseudomeningoceles has not been described. We report four cases of postoperative large lumbar pseudomeningoceles that presented as asymptomatic soft fluctuant swelling over the back which resolved spontaneously. We also reviewed the related literatures and operative records of these patients to find the possible mechanism of occurrence, their management, prevention, and reasons for spontaneous resolution. We conclude that nonoperative management under close observation can be employed for asymptomatic postoperative large lumbar pseudomeningoceles. Surgical exploration and repair should be reserved for symptomatic cases presenting with clinical features of intracranial hypotension, worsening neurology, external fistula or infection, thereby avoiding morbidity and potential complications associated with surgical treatment.

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Introduction: Open long bone fractures of lower limb are cumbersome to treat. Because of the increased chances of infection, wound debridement and external fixation is the primary procedure followed by a secondary intramedullary nailing when the wound improves. Pin tract infection, loss of fixation, non union is the most frequently encountered complications of external fixation. These complications have discouraged surgeons all over the world in accepting external fixation as a definitive method of fracture treatment. Secondary intramedullary interlocking nailing provides intramedullary input of cancellous tissue at the fracture site due to reaming and nailing. Aim: To evaluate the factors determining the outcome after secondary nailing in open fractures of lower extremity. Materials and Methods: The prospective cohort study was conducted from October 2017 to April 2020 at Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences, Pondicherry, India, 33 patients who had open long bone fractures of lower limb and underwent secondary nailing following external fixation, were evaluated. The patients were followed up for a period of six months. Factors such as age, bone involved, grade of injury, timing of debridement, time interval between external fixation and secondary nailing were analysed to see whether they affect the outcome of secondary nailing of open fractures of long bones. All patients underwent an initial thorough wound debridement and external fixation application. A secondary nailing was done once wound had settled down. Age, gender, bone involved, grade of injury, timing of debridement and timing of secondary nailing were noted for all the patients and patients were followed up at six weeks, three months and six months. Final functional outcome (end of six months) was calculated using Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) and radiological union (end of six months) was calculated using Radiological Union Scale in Tibial fractures score (RUST). Results: There were no statistically significant differences in RUST/LEFS score at the end of six months, with respect to age (p-value=0.825/0.847), gender (p-value=0.235/0.348), bone involvement (p-value=0.726/0.757), grade of injury (p-value=0.107/0.546) and timing of debridement (p-value=0.117/0.374). The mean RUST scores at six weeks, three months and six months were 4.39, 6.57 and 9.28, respectively. The mean LEFS scores at six weeks, three months and six months were 20.96, 34.92, 49.5, respectively. The radiological union rate in this study was 60.61% at the final follow-up. But patients who underwent secondary nailing with 10 days of primary debridement and external fixation had a statistically significant (p-value) better outcome in terms of RUST (p-value at 3 months=0.045)/LEFS (p-value at 6 months=0.030). Conclusion: The interval between external fixation and secondary nailing was found to be a significant determinant of radiological outcome at three months (p-value at 3 months=0.045) and better functional outcome at six months (p-value at 6 months=0.030) with patients undergoing secondary nailing within 10 days of external fixation having a good final outcome. However, the radiological outcome between the two groups was comparable at six months follow-up.

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Incidental durotomy is among the most common complications of spine surgery with reported incidence ranging from 1.7% to 16%. Various management options including primary repair, fascial or fat graft, epidural blood patch, fibrin glue sealant, etc., have been proposed. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the incidence of incidental durotomy and the efficacy of different management options during a five year period at a tertiary care center.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> All patients who underwent various surgical procedures in thoracic and lumbar spine from January 2006 - December 2010 in our centre were retrospectively reviewed. Data on demographics, primary diagnosis, associated co morbidities, details of surgical procedure, training level of the operating surgeon, details of the incidental durotomy, the treatment, complications and the postoperative stay were recorded.<strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Of 2270 patients, 1401 patients were included in the study. The incidence of incidental durotomy was 3.49% (49 patients). We found a very high incidence of 33.33% incidental durotomies among patients who underwent revision procedures as compared to 3.23% for patients who underwent primary surgeries. 5.10% of incidental durotomies were caused by fellows under training, 4.27% by junior consultants and 2.92% by senior consultants. Of 49 durotomies, complication were 5 cases of intracranial hypotension, 5 postoperative neurological deficits, 2 deep wound infection, 2 pseudomeningocele and 1 meningitis.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> The risk of incidental durotomy in thoracolumbar surgeries is high in revision surgeries and when performed by fellows in training. Intraoperative identification and primary repair with suturing or sealant reduces postoperative complications.</p>

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