J.Jpn. Surg. Soc.. 81(9): 873-876, 1980

---

Report on the annual meeting

THE PROGNOSIS OF OPEN MENINGOMYELOCELE

1. There are 89 cases of spina bifida, including 50 open meningomyelocele (MMC) and 13 closed meningomyelocele, treated in our Department during past twelve years. This study was undertaken to investigate the prognosis of 28 cases of open MMC who passed more than three years postoperatively.
2. Hydrocephalus was complicated in 19 cases, and 18 cases of them required a shunt procedure.
3. Orthopedic problems is observed in almost all cases, and early treatment for the deformity of lower limbs can decrease the possibility of correction surgery.
4. Neurogenic bladder was complicated in 92% of 28 cases. However, urination with the early apprication of Crédé's method showed favorable results and only two cases suffered from the upper urinary tract disturbance.
5. The intelligence, which is one of the most important influencing factors for the activity of daily life, is slightly lower among the children with hydrocephalus copmpared to that among the children without hydrocephalus, being checked with Tanaka-Binet I.Q. test.
6. The good prognosis concerning activity of daily life can be expected with the early closure of MMC followed by a series of early treatment of orthopedic and urological problems.

---

---

To read the PDF file you will need Adobe Reader installed on your computer.