Effect of subdural muscle packing in repairing dura mater after retrosigmoid craniotomy

Objective This study was performed to evaluate a new type of autologous muscle tamponade to repair dura mater that has undergone dural defects to prevent cerebrospinal fluid leakage or subcutaneous fluid accumulation. Methods Three hundred thirty-two patients who underwent retrosigmoid craniotomy were selected and divided into two groups: bone window craniotomy and bone flap craniotomy. Each group was further divided into two groups: artificial dura repair and autologous muscle repair. We then analysed the incidence of postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leakage or subcutaneous fluid accumulation and compared the effects of the two repair methods. Results For all patients, autologous muscle repair of the dura mater had a lower incidence of cerebrospinal fluid leakage than artificial dura mater repair, especially in patients with craniotomy. Conclusions Subdural craniotomy of the bone window is more effective than conventional methods in preventing cerebrospinal fluid leakage.