Introduction: Multiple modalities have been used in the treatment of syringomyelia, including direct drainage, shunting into peritoneal, pleural and subarachnoid spaces. The authors report their experience of surgical treatment of syringomyelia in a minimally invasive fashion.
Methods: We conducted a single-center retrospective chart review on our syringomyelia cases treated with minimally invasively using Metrx Quadrant retractor system since January 2011. Lateral fluoroscopy was used to guide the placement of the retractor onto the lamina of the corresponding level. This was followed by laminectomy and a small durotomy. Once the syrinx cavity was identified and the proximal end of the tubing was inserted into the syrinx cavity, the tubing was tunneled into the pleural incision subcutaneously. Insertion of the pleural end of the shunt was performed under the microscope, with removal of a small amount of the rib at its upper edge.
Results: Nine procedures were performed in seven patients by the senior author. Etiologies of syringomyelia included Chiari malformation, trauma, diastematomyelia and kyphoscoliosis. All patients improved neurologically. No patients had immediate postoperative complications. One patient underwent two revisions of syringopleural shunts due to multilobulated nature of syringomyelia.
Conclusions: Our case series presents a novel, minimally invasive technique for shunting of syringomyelia with results comparable to open procedures.
Patient Care: We propose a safe, minimally invasive alternative for treatment of syringomyelia that may reduce hospital stay.
Learning Objectives: to present a surgical alternative for shunting of syringomyelia using a minimally invasive approach