Continued lumbar cerebrospinal fluid drainage applied for cerebrospinal fluid leakage after spine operation

Objective:To evaluate the value of continued lumber cerebrospinal fluid drainage(CLCFD) in the patients with cerebrospinal fluid leakage after spinal operation.Method:From May 1994 to November 2003,there were 64 cases of cerebrospinal fluid(CSF) leakage patients after operation in our department.Those patients were divided into two groups according to therapy:group A,patients were treated conservatively mainly with bed rest in the prone position.Group B,continued lumbar cerebrospinal fluid drainage was applied.Result:Successful treatment was achieved in 81.5% among group A.There were still 5 cases with CSF leakage,4 cases of them were treated with CLCFD and recovered,the another one was cured by operation.All patients in group B were recovered after 3～7 days treatment of CLCFD.Conclusion:CLCFD is highly effective and less pain treatment for CSF leakage after spinal operation.