A Novel Untethering and Duraplasty Technique for Postsurgical Tethered Spinal Cord

Abstract

Progressive post-traumatic postsurgical myelopathy (PPPM) is a known entity that can occur months to years after the initial insult. Symptomatic patients can become myelopathic and have rapid and progressive neurological decline. Surgical correction of PPPM usually involves intradural exploration and lysis of adhesions that carries the risk of further injury to the spinal cord. In this manuscript, we provide a report of a patient presenting more than 50 years after the initial resection of an intramedullary tumor. Additionally, we present and describe a novel surgical technique for managing this difficult problem and restoring normal CSF dynamics.