Chiripa technique. Report of a novel technique to protect the spinal cord from incidental durotomies during complex spinal procedures

Abstract

Background context: Incidental durotomy is the most frequent intraoperative complication reported in spinal literature. Multiple strategies have been suggested to manage it.

Methods: A brief technical report.

Discussion: The use of cottonoids is a recommended measure to avoid incidental durotomies during spinal surgeries; thus, ventral protection might be difficult to achieve. This "Chiripa technique" provides circumferential protection to the neurostructures, so that surgical procedures can be safely carried out.

Conclusion: Taking into account the low costs and ease of execution, this can be a valuable tip that may widely extended in all cases where a circumferential dural protection is needed.