Foramen magnum decompression

Foramen magnum decompression surgery is offered to the patients suffering from Chiari malformation. These patients have a small posterior fossa due to which there is crowding of the structures around the foramen magnum and compression on the spinomedullary juction resulting in syrinx(fluid filled cavity in the spinal cord).

The surgery involves removal of a part of the bone at the back of the skull to widen the foramen magnum and create space for the brain. The tight dura over the herniated tonsils is opened and a patch is sewn to expand the space. This provides extra space around the tonsils for free movement of the CSF. The goals of surgery are to control the progression of symptoms, relieve compression of the medullary junction, and restore the normal flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The surgery takes about 2 to 3 hours and recovery in the hospital usually lasts 3-54 days.