Fasciocutaneous Flap Reconstruction after Repair of Meningomyelocele: Technique and Outcome.

AIMS: The objectives of this study are to describe our technique in meningomyelocele (MMC) repair, analyzing the results and complications, as well as to study the effect of delay in operation on the complication rate. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between March 1997 and October 2012, 48 patients with MMC were treated at Jordan University Hospital by a combined neurosurgical and plastic surgical team. Patients underwent neurosurgical repair of the neural elements and soft tissue reconstruction using local fasciocutaneous flaps. The patients were further divided into two subgroups (local or referrals from other hospitals). RESULTS: Of all patients, 8 (16.6%) had postoperative complications. When the complication rate was compared between the two groups, in the first group, who had early repair, only 2 out of 19 patients had complications (10.5%), while in the second group, with delayed operation, 6 out of 29 patients developed complications (20.7%). The follow-up of all patients showed that the soft tissue cover maintained good durability with no skin breakdown. CONCLUSION: We recommend early MMC repair using this rather simple method to provide a reliable soft tissue coverage. A combined approach by a neurosurgical and plastic surgical team in the management of this challenging neonatal emergency is appreciated.