Prevention of subdural fluid collections following transcortical intraventricular and/or paraventricular procedures by using fibrin adhesive

OBJECT: Subdural fluid collections following transcortical intraventricular and/or paraventricular neurosurgical procedures for tumors are common and can be difficult to treat. The authors prospectively studied the efficacy of a fibrin adhesive (Tisseel) in closing cortical and ependymal defects following intraventricular and/or paraventricular lesion resection and in preventing the development of subdural fluid collections. METHODS: Twenty-five patients who underwent 29 transcortical approaches for the resection of intraventricular and/or paraventricular lesions were studied. No patient developed a symptomatic subdural fluid collection and no new seizure or progression of a preexisting seizure disorder was encountered during a median follow-up time of 29 months (range 1-57 months). The incidence of preoperative hydrocephalus was 72% and four (22%) of these patients required postoperative shunt placement. CONCLUSIONS: The use of a fibrin adhesive to seal cortical and ependymal defects after transcortical procedures appears to prevent the development of subdural fluid collections.