Authors
1
Al-Hussein Teaching Hospital, Al-Muthanna, Iraq
2
Martyr Ghazi Al-Hariri Hospital for Surgical Specialties, Medical City / Baghdad, Iraq.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
The posterior fossa is the biggest and the deepest intracranial fossa, containing the most complicated intracranial organs. Posterior fossa tumor access used to involve bone removal permanently, the first craniotomy was done in 1974 using burr holes to access CPA tumors.
OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the postoperative complications of posterior fossa tumor surgery operated by craniotomy versus craniectomy in pediatric patients.
PATIENTS AND METHODS:
A prospective single-center study of 35 pediatric patients with posterior fossa tumors operated in the neurosurgical center in Martyr Ghazi Al-Hariri Hospital from Oct. 2017 to Oct. 2018. Patients were categorized into two groups using craniotomy or craniectomy for tumor access; these patients were followed postoperatively for 3 months and any signs or symptoms of complications were recorded (CSF leak, Pseudomeningocoele, wound dehiscence and infection).
RESULTS:
Thirty-five patients were studied, craniotomy was done for 15 patients, and craniectomy for 20 patients. The patients’ age averaged 2-16 years with a mean age of 7 years. The study included 17 male and 18 female patients with a male: female ratio of 1:1.058.
CONCLUSION:
Craniotomy resulted in less postoperative complications like Pseudomeningocoele, CSF leak, wound infection and dehiscence as well as less hospital stay than craniectomy.
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