Omento-myelo-synangiosis in the management of chronic traumatic paraplegia: case report

A case of traumatic paraplegia, with almost complete motor and sensory loss up to the umbilicus, who had an operation for post traumatic arachnoiditis and diagnosed as having recurrence of arachnoiditis and traumatic syringomyelia and treated by a pedicled omental onlay graft to the spinal cord, is described. The patient made a remarkable recovery and 1 year after surgery he continues to maintain excellent progress. He is now able to walk with support and is completely independent. It is suggested that chronic paraplegics should be assessed for possible arachnoiditis and traumatic syringomyelia and if detected an omental transposition be considered as one means of increasing rehabilitation potential.