Post-Operative Complications after Foramen Magnum Decompression with Duraplasty Using Different Graft Materials in Adults Patients with Chiari I Malformation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Despite extensive investigations, the choice of graft material for reconstructive duraplasty after foramen magnum decompression for Chiari type I malformation (CMI) is still a topic of discussion. The authors performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature examining the post-operative complications in adult patients with CMI after foramen magnum decompression and duraplasty (FMDD) using different graft materials. Our systematic review included 23 studies with a total of 1563 patients with CMI who underwent FMDD with different dural substitutes. The most common complications were pseudomeningocele (2.7%, 95% CI 1.5–3.9%, p < 0.01, I(2) = 69%) and CSF leak (2%, 95% CI 1–2.9%, p < 0,01, I(2) = 43%). The revision surgery rate was 3% (95% CI 1.8–4.2%, p < 0.01, I(2) = 54%). A lower rate of pseudomeningocele was observed with autologous duraplasty when compared with synthetic duraplasty (0.7% [95% CI 0–1.3%] vs. 5.3% [95% CI 2.1–8.4%] p < 0.01). The rate of CSF leak and revision surgery was lower after autologous duraplasty than after non-autologous dural graft (1.8% [95% CI 0.5–3.1%] vs. 5.3% [95% CI 1.6–9%], p < 0.01 and 0.8% [95% CI 0.1–1.6%] vs. 4.9% [95% CI 2.6–7.2%] p < 0.01, respectively). Autologous duraplasty is associated with a lower rate of post-operative pseudomeningocele and reoperation. This information should be considered when planning duraplasty after foramen magnum decompression in patients with CMI.