How long is recovery from Chiari decompression surgery?

Recovery from the actual surgery varies from 4 to 6 weeks, depending on your general health. After surgery, you can expect headache and neck pain from the incision that may last several weeks. You will be given neck exercises (download exercises) to do at home.

What is the success rate of Chiari malformation surgery?

Surgical treatment resulted in a long-term success rate of 84.2% (32 patients improved at last follow-up). Thirty-one patients (81.5%) achieved a CCOS score between 13 and 16. Headache improved in 86.9% of patients, gait impairment in 83.3%, paresthesias in 70% and neck pain in 65.2%.

How long do you stay in the hospital after Chiari malformation surgery?

The operation takes about 3 to 4 hours. The hospital stay following a Chiari decompression is generally 3 to 4 days. An experienced pediatric ICU and pediatrics team will ensure that the common postoperative symptoms of headache, neck stiffness, nausea and vomiting are well-controlled.

Is Chiari surgery brain surgery?

What Is Chiari Malformation Decompression Surgery? Chiari decompression is a surgical treatment for a rare condition called Arnold Chiari malformation, in which the brain tissue protrudes into the spinal canal at the back of the skull. The condition may be present at birth or may develop as the skull and brain grow.

What kind of surgery is needed for Chiari malformations?

Surgery for Chiari Malformations Surgery for Chiari Malformations Not everyone with a Chiari malformation requires surgery, but when a patient’s individual circumstances warrant it, a neurosurgeon may recommend “decompression” surgery (known as a “decompressive suboccipital craniectomy and cervical laminectomy”).

How long does it take to recover from Chiari malformation?

When symptoms interfere with daily life, surgery may be recommended to relieve pressure on the brain. Depending on your individual circumstances, recovery after Chiari malformation surgery can take several weeks and some symptoms may take up to a year to resolve.

How is a dural opening Chiari decompression done?

Dural Opening Chiari Decompression: The surgeon removes a small section at the back of your skull, as well as the dura (a membrane covering the brain), a flexible patch is then sewn into the dura in order to create more space and alleviate pressure.

When to see a neurosurgeon after Chiari surgery?

Patients who have had decompression surgery for Chiari should visit their neurosurgeon a few months after the procedure for an MRI to confirm that the pressure has been alleviated. Subsequent imaging will depend on the patient’s symptoms and the results of the previous MRI.