Development , validation , and incorporation of a small number of disease-specific patient-based instruments will improve the quality of research and care of CM-I patients
OBJECT Chiari malformation Type I ( CM-I ) is a common and often debilitating neurological disease .
Efforts to improve treatment of CM-I are impeded by inconsistent and limited methods of evaluating clinical outcomes .
The need in dural graft suturing in Chiari I malformation decompression: A prospective, single-blind, randomized trial comparing sutured and sutureless duraplasty materials
Background : This study compared the use of two commonly utilized dural closure techniques used in augmentation duraplasty for Chiari malformation I ( CM I ) and evaluated their efficacy and outcome in terms of quality of life assessment s. Methods : This prospect i ve r and omized study compared sutureless ( DuraGen ) and suturable ( Dura-Guard ) techniques in CM I decompression . Clinical parameters , cost analysis , and SF-36 Quality of Life Question naire ( QLQ ) were utilized to assess outcome . Results : Thirty-four patients were enrolled . Average age was 38.7 ± 12.2 years ( mean ± SD ( St and ard Deviation ) ) and 82 % of patients were female . Sixteen patients received DuraGen and 18  Dura-Guard . Age and gender were similar among groups . Postoperative complications did not differ between groups . Operative cost and time were less for DuraGen , whereas hospital stay was less with Dura-Guard , neither was statistically significant . Average QLQ scores at months 1 , 2 , and 3 improved in both groups . Dura-Guard patients showed greater improvement in quality of life at month 2 ( P < 0.05 ) but groups did not differ at final survey . All patient 's physical health ( P < 0.005 ) and function ( P < 0.005 ) were significantly improved . Outcome did not differ between groups and all patients showed significant improvement ( P < 0.05 ) . Conclusion : Both techniques are effective in reaching the goals of decompressive surgery for CM I and did not differ in quality of life at final survey . All patients showed significant improvement in physical function , physical health , and outcome following surgery . With all variables being equal the choice of duraplasty material may be based upon surgeon 's preference
Development , validation , and incorporation of a small number of disease-specific patient-based instruments will improve the quality of research and care of CM-I patients
OBJECT Chiari malformation Type I ( CM-I ) is a common and often debilitating neurological disease .
Efforts to improve treatment of CM-I are impeded by inconsistent and limited methods of evaluating clinical outcomes .