Abstract
A retrospective study of myelomeningocele patients who had been admitted to the Department of Neurosurgery, King Fahd University Hospital between 1987 and 1996 - a total of 34 patients (Group 1). Patients who were operated upon elsewhere and referred to our service for follow-up during this period were included in a separate group, and totalled 13 patients (Group 2). The results showed mortality rates of 12%. 47% for Group 1, and 69% for Group 2 are community ambulatory. 35% of the first group and 61% of the second group are socially-continent of urine and 45% of these patients are attending regular schools. Tethered cord, urinary tract infection and shunt complications are among the common complications of these patients.