Incidental durotomy in spine surgery: first aid in ten steps.

Introduction: Incidental durotomy (ID) is the most common complication of spine surgery. Revision procedures, ossification of the yellow ligament, or synovial cysts are well-known risk factors. The size, shape, and severity of ID are unpredictable, ranging from a pinpoint hole to a several centimeters large dural laceration with transected fibers following the slippage of a cutting burr. Furthermore, the occurrence of ID is always unexpected. Intra-operative management is often based on a steep learning curve rather than a structured scheme.

Purpose: To provide an intra-operative ten-step closure technique (10ST) for IDs of varying severity.

Methods: A database of 4020 consecutive surgeries for lumbar degenerative disease over the past 4 years was searched for ID. The records of 176 patients were analyzed. Two dural repair techniques were compared: the "individual" technique (InT) and the 10ST.

Results: The overall prevalence of ID was 4.4%. The prevalence was lowest in virgin micro-discectomies (1.7%) and ranged from 3.6% in decompression for spinal canal stenosis up to 14.5% in revision procedures. All surgeries were performed with the aid of a microscope. Among 107 primary surgeries, the InT achieved a single-stage closure of the ID in 96 procedures (89.7%). Among 20 virgin surgeries, the 10ST was successful in all cases (P = 0.21). Among 42 re-do procedures following failed attempts to stop cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage, the InT achieved single-stage closure in 36 procedures (85.7%). The 10ST was successful in all 26 cases (P = 0.03). The follow-up was 1 year.

Conclusions: The 10ST should be considered for successful single-stage closure in primary repair of ID.