Pleural Dural Fistula After Anterior Excision of Thoracic Disc Hernia: Suggested Repair Procedure

A young woman displayed a dural tear during thoracic spine surgery. The corpectomy was by anterior approach, after thoracotomy. The dural defect was plastered by a fatty flap and a pleural layer. One month later, she exhibited a right pleural effusion. No consensual intervention is available for this complication. This dural fistula was sealed by a triple patch comprising a flap of intercostal muscles. The incidence of dural leaks following an anterior thoracic spinal surgery is infrequent but not rare. A long delay from the index surgery is unusual. Three years after the repair, the patient is free from complaints.