The use of the Limberg skin flap for closure of large lumbosacral myelomeningoceles

Closure of the skin defect in myelomeningocele repair is an essential step that determines the quality of the surgical result. In large myelomeningoceles, however, adequate skin coverage may not be accomplished by direct closure or skin undermining. In such cases, the skin defect is best repaired using flaps. To evaluate whether the Limberg skin flap is effective for the repair of large round or oval lumbosacral myelomeningoceles, we studied the records of 25 children. Surgical repair was carried out within 24-36 hours of birth in all 25 patients, with the defect size ranging from 36-72 cm(2). Durable, stable soft tissue coverage of the defect was obtained in 23 of 25 patients, with a postoperative follow-up of at least 2 years. Reoperation became necessary in the remaining two patients, but flap necrosis occurred in only one. We suggest that Limberg flap repair may have some advantages in patients with large round or oval lumbosacral myelomeningoceles, including minimal invasivity, short hospitalization, and improved cosmetic results.