<b>The effectiveness of lumbar drainage in the conservative and surgical treatment of traumatic cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea</b>

Abstract

CONCLUSIONS: We found no differences in clinicopathologic factors and post-treatment effects between patients who did and did not receive lumbar drains (LDs) in the management of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea. Care should be taken in using LDs, after considering their effectiveness and complications, although routine use of an LD is not indicated in the management of traumatic CSF rhinorrhea. OBJECTIVES: We assessed the role and effectiveness of LDs in patients managed conservatively and surgically. METHODS: Of 117 patients treated for CSF rhinorrhea, 61 were managed conservatively and 56 were initially managed surgically. We compared the clinicopathologic features and factors related to treatment outcome between patients who did and did not receive LDs. RESULTS: Of 61 conservatively managed patients, 32 were managed without and 29 with LDs. There were no between-group differences in any clinicopathologic factors, recurrence rate, or incidence of meningitis during/after treatment, but duration of hospitalization differed significantly (15.3 vs 23.2 days, p = 0.03). Of 56 surgically managed patients, 24 were managed without and 32 with postoperative LDs. Except for age, there were no between-group differences in clinicopathologic factors. In terms of treatment outcome-related factors, there was no significant difference in recurrence rate, incidence of meningitis, or duration of hospitalization.