• ABSTRACT
    • We reviewed the cases of five consecutive patients with tears of the spinal dura with postoperative leaks of cerebrospinal fluid. Problems in cluded the persistence of cerebrospinal-fluid fistulas in four patients and a late symptomatic pseudomeningocele in one, all requiring reoperation and meticulous closure of the dura. Dural tears should be repaired at the time of the original operation either directly or utilizing a fascial graft or a tissue-plug technique. When the leak is first noted in the postoperative period, reoperation for repair of the dura is recommended.