Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41266911›Full record

ReviewEuropean spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society2026

Taming the persistent seroma: multidisciplinary management following complex spinal revision surgery - a case report.

Clelia Dogny, Matteo Scampa, Jérôme Martineau, Vladimir Mégevand, Axelle Serre, Enrico Tessitore, Daniel Felix Kalbermatten, Dominik André-Lévigne

Abstract readCase ReportsReview
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Review in European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Clelia Dogny *Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery, University Hospital of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0009-3504-0073
Matteo Scampa *Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery, University Hospital of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland. matteo.scampa@hug.ch.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0461-7596
Jérôme MartineauDepartment of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery, University Hospital of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9385-6312
Vladimir MégevandDepartment of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery, University Hospital of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0009-0319-0501
Axelle SerreDepartment of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery, University Hospital of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0001-6161-1775
Enrico TessitoreDivision of Neurosurgery, University Hospital of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7116-6302
Daniel Felix KalbermattenDepartment of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery, University Hospital of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6626-1233
Dominik André-LévigneDepartment of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery, University Hospital of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0396-7511

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionChronic seroma and pseudomeningocele formation following spinal instrumentation, particularly in the setting of prior infection and multiple revision surgeries, remains rare but pose a significant therapeutic challenge due to high recurrence rate. In this context, we present a complex case of pseudomeningocele that evolved into a persistent seroma with cutaneous fistula after multi-level lumbar fusion with a comprehensive review of sclerotherapy protocols. MATERIALS AND

methodsA 75-year-old patient with prior L3-S1 fusion surgery presented with rod fracture and underwent surgical revision. Postoperatively, a collection with purulent discharge and altered consciousness raised suspicion of a dural breach, later confirmed by Beta-Trace protein testing. Despite multiple revisions and placement of a pedicled SGAP flap, persistent pseudomeningocele developed, evolving in a chronic seroma after CSF leak resolution. The course was further complicated with chronic Staphylococcus Epidermidis infection. Revision surgery with flap mobilization and capsulectomy failed to resolve the seroma. Due to limited surgical options, a multi-instillation doxycycline sclerotherapy protocol via radiologically guided drain was initiated.

resultsThe sclerotherapy protocol resulted in progressive decrease in drain output, ultimately allowing for drain removal after 34 days. Follow-up ultrasound 7 days and 3 months after drain removal showed no significant fluid collection. No recurrence of fistula or seroma was observed during follow-up.

conclusionThis case highlights the challenges of managing postoperative wound complications in spinal surgery, particularly in the context of prior infection, hardware exposure, and suspected cerebrospinal fluid leak. A pedicled SGAP flap provided durable coverage, and doxycycline sclerotherapy proved an effective salvage treatment for persistent seroma after unsuccessful surgical revision.

Indexed as

MeningocelePostoperative ComplicationsReoperationSeromaSpinal FusionAgedHumansLumbar VertebraeMaleSclerotherapyChronic seromaCSF leakFlapPseudomeningoceleRevisionSclerotherapySpine surgery

Identifiers

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.