Management of subarachnoid-pleural fistula following anterior transthoracic approach for the ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament in the thoracic spine.

Background: Subarachnoid-pleural fistula is an abnormal communication between the subarachnoid and pleural spaces that can arise from blunt or penetrating trauma or as a complication of spinal surgery via the transthoracic approach. Uncontrolled cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage with a fistulous condition after transthoracic spinal surgery could be more problematic than that after spinal surgery via the conventional posterior approach because of the negative pressure in the pleural cavity.

Case description: The authors reported subarachnoid-pleural fistula management using chest and lumbar spinal drainage in five patients with several troublesome complications, such as intracranial subdural hematoma or severe respiratory dysfunction. Chest drainage was managed for 2-3 days by continuous low negative pressure, whereas lumbar spinal drainage was managed for 5-7 days, aiming at an output volume of 150-200 ml/day and higher than that of chest drainage. Additionally, when examining changes in the accumulated pleural fluid were examined by standing chest X-ray immediately before operation and 1 month after operation, the pleural effusions in four of the five patients were assimilated 1 month postoperatively.

Conclusion: Compared with CSF management following standard posterior spinal surgery, management after the anterior transthoracic approach could be more troublesome because of intrapleural negative pressure. When chest and lumbar spinal drainage are used, it is important to consider that over-drainage of CSF could potentially cause severe respiratory dysfunction and intracranial subdural hematoma.