4 months after surgery Spinal fluid leak.

[Hope2day]

My dad had surgery to correct a disc 10 years ago. well there was aproblem with the surgery the Dr dropped a hemostat and severed a nerve. He was in horrible pain. with tremendous burning down lft leg. 5 years ago he had a morphine pump inserted. He began to have pain on his rt leg and new neuro and ortho guys did a surgery 4 months ago. well things were going well and he began to have brutal migraines and and a bulge on his back the size of an orange. dr originally siad not related to surgery and blew him off.That was 6 days ago. He was finally seen and was now told that it is definately a leak of spinal fluid and that it is ok to wait another week to see neuro guy. My question is ..Is spinal fluid something serious? Is it Ok to wait this long? He is nautious and has had severe headaches.

[Dwartist]

My 86 year old Dad had a pain pump removed and put on the other side of his abdomen.  The surgeon spiced the cathetor.  Sent him home.  Discovered severe spinal fluid loss. Went to emergency room and another operation done to stop leak from cathetor.  Sucessful but brain sagged due to loss of spinal fluid and caused bleeding on brain.  Brain surgery to remove blood clot and washed surface of brain.  Now Dad has infection in his back and in Rehab Hospital.  What is the length of rehabilitation and do you think he will fully recover.  He is sleeping alot

[Carol139]

I also have a bulge at the back of my head, going down today to see what can be done. I had an Acoustic Neuroma removed 10/29/09 - and it seemed to be healing fine, but after a rear-end accident on 11/10/09 (on my way to get my stitches removed of all things) -- I noticed the incision area getting bigger and puffier.  Showed the visiting nurse, she didn't know what it was.        
But the doctor (I didn't get to see him for another 2 weeks...) said it was spinal fluid and there must be a leak at the hole they made to access the brain.  He told me I had to see the neurosurgeon (going today.)

How is your dad doing? What did they do to fix it?
Thank you and best wishes!
Carol

[Dr Vinod]

Hello!

The headaches and migraines are related to the spinal fluid leak. This may also cause severe brain infections due to the leak.

Maintain proper hygiene and ask the primary surgeon to take all necessary steps to seal the leak and follow up properly.

Take a second opinion if required.

Take care!