Minimal invasive interlaminar approach for untethering of fatty filum terminale in pediatric patients - how I do it

Background Fatty filum terminale is a form of spinal dysraphism and a third of all patients develop symptoms such as sensory, motor, and urinary impairment. Early surgery at 6 months has the advantage that the bone density is still soft, and the patients are not ambulatory yet, promoting faster healing. Method We present our minimal invasive surgical technique for FFT untethering. Conclusion Due to the low complication rate and the potentially high benefit of surgery, prophylactic untethering is recommended.

Automated summary

Fatty filum terminale is a form of spinal dysraphism and about one-third of patients experience symptoms. We present a minimally invasive surgical technique for untethering the fatty filum terminale, which has a low complication rate and potentially high benefit.