Long-Term Outcome of Total and Near-Total Resection of Spinal Cord Lipomas and Radical Reconstruction of the Neural Placode, Part II

Total and near-total resection of lipomas and complete reconstruction of the neural placode produced a much better long-term progression-free probability than partial resection and nonsurgical treatment. The perioperative complications for total resection were low and compared favorably with published results. A low postoperative cord-sac ratio and well-executed placode neurulation were strongly correlated with good outcome. The ideal preoperative patient profile with early disease stabilization and the best recurrence-free probability is an asymptomatic child less than 2 years without previous lipoma surgery. There are strong indications that partial resection in many cases produces worse scarring on the neural placode and worse prognosis than no surgery.