1) In the past 13 years, 14 cases of spina cystica were treated in our clinic. They consisted of 6 cases of meningocele, 6 cases of myelomeningocele and 2 unclassified cases. Sites of lesions were lumbar in 8, lumbosacral in 2 and sacral in 2 cases.
2) The most frequently observed complication was hydrocephalus. It was found in 6 cases.
3) Operative repair was performed in 11 cases (5 meningocele and 6 myelomeningocele cases). Two cases had undergone repair operation in other clinics. Ventriculo-trial shunt operation alone was performed in 1 case. Ventriculo-atrial shunting was performed 12 times in 6 cases of spina bifida complicated with hydrocephalus. Operative deaths were 2 (1 following repair operation and 1 following shunt operation).
4) Remote study, performed at 9 months through 9 years, and 7 months postoperatively, revealed that all the 9 cases, in which information was obtained, were alive. However, in 7 of the 9 cases some or other kinds of impairments remained. Only 2 cases of meningocele were spending normal life. Thus functional prognosis of spina bifida cystica generally appears to be poor.
