Use of an abdominal reapproximation anchor system in the closure of large, open myelomeningoceles

摘要

Open neural tube defects are complex congenital abnormalities of the nervous system in which nervous tissue is exposed on the patient's back at the time of delivery. These malformations require surgical correction, and although replacement of the neural placode internally is fairly standard, providing skin closure can be very challenging especially in large defects. An abdominal reapproximation anchor (ABRA) device may be of value in attaining skin closure in these large, open myelomeningocele defects in which primary closure cannot be accomplished surgically. In a study period during which 65 patients underwent surgical closure of open myelomeningocele defects, 5 of them underwent ABRA-assisted closure.