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Anyone have an unintended durotomy during lumbar spinal surgery?

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Chronic Pain
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Posted 10/31/2017 2:32 PM (GMT -5)
I picked up my op report and consultation notes from my neurosurgeon today and it notes that I had an unintended durotomy at L4. After surgery, he told me I had a small cyst on the dura that he removed which caused a tiny spinal fluid leak and so I had to lay flat for 36 hours. I was fine. I am now reading that this durotomy can cause nerve root damage. I'm now wondering if this is the cause of all my pain? Anyone have this experience along with nerve pain? I'm not looking to blame anyone or point fingers, I'd really just like to understand why all this pain, actually more than before surgery. Thanks, Miriam
Posted 10/31/2017 3:00 PM (GMT -5)
Miriam, off the top of my head I do not remember us having a member that had this happen. You can use the little search box at the top & see if there is anything in the archives here. I did a search & found discussion of unintended durotomy at the at the NIH's website & read a study. According to NIH this is very common in spine surgery. I think NIH had several articles to read. I am not a dr but basically this is repairing like a nick & to stop the spinal fluid from leaking out or in your instance it happened with the removal of a cyst which was discussed in the article I read. I don't think this caused your nerve issue. My thoughts are you have a pinched nerve, something is causing compression of a nerve.

Take care.
Posted 10/31/2017 10:28 PM (GMT -5)
Thanks Susie
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