Unruptured Myelomeningocele Closure Surgery: A Case Report

Abstract

Myelomeningocele (MMC) is an in-utero closure defect of the posterior portion of the neural tube, and it is the most common neural tube defect (NTD) compatible with life. It is usually associated with other congenital malformations, such as hydrocephalus and Chiari type 2 syndrome. Therefore, the long-term outcome depends on early repair, and the surgery is urgently scheduled. Newborns with MMC are a special population that requires meticulous preoperative preparation to maintain hemodynamic stability during the procedure and a favorable outcome. In this case report, we describe the challenges of unruptured myelomeningocele closure surgery in a newborn with 12 hours of life. This special case emphasizes the importance of a multidisciplinary approach between anesthesiologists, neurosurgeons, and plastic surgeons to provide the best care to this subset of patients.