CSF leak

Question

My daughter had her surgery on 12/29/11. Everything was moving forward (however slowly) when yesterday clear fluid started dripping out of one of her suture holes. (Sutures were removed about a week ago.) Called the dr and they said to take her to the ospital if the headaches got worse, nauseated or she saturated her dressing. It has remianed throughout yesterday and today but it has been a slow leak and no other symptoms have gotten worse. Should we call her dr Monday (not the on call doc) or just let it be? She is developing two lumps along her scar where the fluid is seeping out. Also it comes out more when she is upright not lying down. Don't know when or if to get worried. Thanks for your replies!

kkratz · Accepted Answer

I had the same thing happen the day I went and had my staples taken out. That evening, I had a few drops of clear fluid dripping from where some of my staples were. Called the office and they told me to it was fine as long as it were clear. After 2 days,  I called back because it had got worse and my pillows were being saturated. This time, it actually talked to my NS nurse who directed me to the ER because my NS was out of town. In ER, they did a CT scan where they discovered a small build up of CSF. They put more staples in my head, and the next day, a lumbar drain was inserted in my back and I had to lay flat in the bed for the next 4 days. It was a terrible experience, but it worked. 
I would get it checked out for sure and not let it linger. 
Hope all goes well.

kkratz

selmaS · Answer

Thanks for the update...so sorry it got worse for her tho....

  Sending good vibes~~~~~ and prayers that this is the answer and she gets to feeling better soon : )

  "selma"

Julieruf · Answer

The leak did get worse and they readmitted her Monday. They had tried a couple of stiches in the office but it actually seemed to allow the fluid to come out even faster. By Tuesday they determined they were going to have to open the entire incision to find the leak. They started her on Diamox to help reduce the csf and by the AM the leak had stopped. They decided to take her to surgery anyway resutured the entire incision drained the remaineing fluid out with a large needle on the side of her neck and put in a lumbar drain. That was Wednesday. She has been in neuro ICU since then. The fluid has cleared and so far no more leaking. While she has been pretty uncomfortable if this works it's much better than redoing the whole thing. Lumbar drain comes out tomorrow (Monday 1/31) and hopefully home Tuesday. Thanks for all the help. Maybe we will soon have all this in the past :).

selmaS · Answer

Hi...as Pam mentioned u may want to follow the instructions of the dr, and try to have her lie flat and keep hydrated as it can help the leak, if it is in fact a CSF leak to heal.....

But, if it continues she should have it looked at by her dr to make sure all is ok with the healing process.

"selma"

pamk5 · Answer

I am not sure when it gets serious I would follow the instructions of the doctor.  However, you can have her lie flat, drink caffeine and increase fluids sometimes that will seal the leak off on its on.  After a few days if that doesnt work I would take her in they may have to do a blood patch.  Hope this helps!

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