Subfascial drainage and clipping technique for treatment of cerebrospinal fluid leak following spinal surgery

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the treatment of iatrogenic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak that develops after degenerative lumbar spinal surgery with a subfascial drainage and clipping (SDC) technique. METHODS: This study retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 46 patients who developed iatrogenic CSF leak after surgery for lumbar degenerative spine disease from 2007 to 2019. Twenty-five patients were treated with the SDC procedure (SDC group), whereas 21 were not (control group). Outcomes were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: CSF leakage ceased within 6–9 days (average 7.4±1) after the procedure in the SDC group. In the control group, CSF leakage was controlled with conservative measures in 14 patients, and in 7 patients, lumbar external drainage was performed. Among these 7, the CSF leak was controlled by lumbar external drainage in 3, and 4 required reoperation to repair the dural defect. No infection occurred in either group. Length of hospital stay was also shorter in SDC group (8.4±1 vs 10.0±1.3 days, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The SDC technique is effective for the treatment of iatrogenic CSF leak that develops after degenerative lumbar spinal surgery.