Fine electrocautery may be needed to shrink the cerebellar tonsils in effort to restore normal CSF pathway. A patch graft of either bovine pericardium, synthetic material, or periosteum is then created to enlarge the posterior fossa at the foramen magnum and upper cervical spine. The incision is then closed with subcutaneous suture and external staples. The patient is generally extubated in the operating room and transferred to post anesthesia recovery room during the immediate post-operative period. The specific risks are discussed with each patient prior to surgery.
Nausea is a common complaint after surgery, and is generally controlled with antiemetics.
Most patients will be discharged by day 3 or 4, depending on pain control and ability to maintain adequate caloric intake. The patient is then evaluated in clinic at 1 month intervals until discharge from the clinic. The Curators of the University of Missouri. All rights reserved.