Duraplasty with Cervical Fascia Autograft to Reduce Postoperative Complications of Posterior Fossa Tumor Surgery with Suboccipital Midline Approach

Abstract

The suboccipital midline approach is common dealing with posterior fossa tumors but has a high risk of postoperative complications, such as pseudomeningocele, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, and meningitis. Neurosurgeons used various kinds of method to lower its rate. A retrospective, single-center review of patients diagnosed with posterior fossa tumor underwent a suboccipital midline approach. Compare the rates of pseudomeningocele, CSF leak, and meningitis between 2 groups (artificial dura mater or cervical fascia autograft). We get the cervical fascia autograft from the superficial layer of deep cervical fascia just above the trapezius. Our retrospective review involved 123 patients matching the inclusion criteria between January 2009 and April 2019. The complication rate of pseudomeningocele, CSF leak and meningitis were 8.9%, 4.9%, and 17.9%, respectively. The presence of pseudomeningocele or CSF leak for group "artificial" was 11 of 75 (14.67%) and for group "autograft" it was 3 of 48 (6.25%). The rate of meningitis for group "artificial" (24.0%, 18 of 75) was significantly higher (P= 0.027) than the one for group "autograft" (8.33%, 4 of 48). Multivariate regression analysis suggested that the age was negatively correlated with postoperative pseudomeningocele or CSF leak (P= 0.006), with meningitis (P < 0.001). Using cervical fascia autograft decreased the rate of meningitis (P= 0.021) while showing no statistically significant clinical impact on pseudomeningocele or CSF leak. Applying the cervical fascia autograft to reconstruct the dura during posterior fossa surgery is a simple and effective method to reduce the rate of meningitis as compared with artificial dura mater.