Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41989599›Full record

SynthesisChild's nervous system : ChNS : official journal of the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery2026

Surgical management of anterior sacral meningoceles: a case series and systematic review.

Ginevra Sussi, Chiara Spezzani, Francesca Vitulli, Andrea Di Rita, Riccardo Coletta, Giuseppe Cinalli, Antonino Morabito, Flavio Giordano

Abstract readSystematic Review
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In one paragraph

Synthesis in Child's nervous system : ChNS : official journal of the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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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

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Ginevra Sussi *Functional Neurosurgery and Epilepsy Surgery, Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy.
Chiara Spezzani *Functional Neurosurgery and Epilepsy Surgery, Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy.
Francesca VitulliNeurosurgery Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Santobono-Pausilipon Children's Hospital, AORN, Naples, Italy.
Andrea Di RitaFunctional Neurosurgery and Epilepsy Surgery, Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy. andrea.dirita@meyer.it.
Riccardo ColettaPediatric Surgery Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy.
Giuseppe CinalliNeurosurgery Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Santobono-Pausilipon Children's Hospital, AORN, Naples, Italy.
Antonino MorabitoPediatric Surgery Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy.
Flavio GiordanoFunctional Neurosurgery and Epilepsy Surgery, Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeAnterior sacral meningoceles (ASMs) are rare forms of spinal dysraphism caused by anterior herniation of meninges through a sacral defect. Surgical management is the treatment of choice, yet the optimal approach remains debated. This study compares outcomes of three main surgical approaches-anterior transabdominal, posterior transsacral, posterior sagittal (PSARP-type)-focusing on the efficacy and safety of the PSARP-type.

methodsA retrospective single-center analysis was conducted on eight patients treated for ASM between 2008 and 2025. Demographic, clinical, radiological, functional data were reviewed. Outcomes included recurrence, reoperation, sac size reduction, bladder function; complications were categorized as early or late. A systematic literature review was performed according to PRISMA guidelines.

resultsEight patients (6 females, 2 males; mean age 19.4 years) underwent surgery (five anterior Pfannenstiel incision, two posterior sagittal, one posterior transsacral). All were symptomatic, 87.5% had associated malformations. Sac reduction was achieved in 87.5% of cases, with no new neurological deficits. Complications were mild and self-limiting, including transient urinary retention and cerebrospinal fluid fistula managed with lumboperitoneal shunt. The literature review (49 studies, 68 patients) confirmed female predominance (81%), association with Marfan and Currarino syndromes (35%), preference for posterior approaches (70%), which showed lower morbidity and recurrence rates. One postoperative death (1.4%) was reported.

conclusionsPosterior approaches-particularly the PSARP-type-provide safe, effective, and functionally favorable alternatives to anterior surgery for ASM, offering optimal exposure, precise dural closure, superior cosmetic outcomes with minimal morbidity. The anterior route should be reserved for large or high-lying lesions. Further multicenter studies with longer follow-up are warranted.

Indexed as

MeningoceleNeurosurgical ProceduresSacrumAbnormalities, MultipleAdolescentAdultChildFemaleHumansMaleRetrospective StudiesSacrococcygeal RegionTreatment OutcomeYoung AdultAnterior sacral meningoceleCurrarino syndromeMarfanOvarian cystPelvic cystRetrorectal lesions

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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.