What is the best option to fix a crebrial fluid leak?

[danaej]

I had my AN surgery June 7th,  2006. I have a fluid leak athough mine is maintained in my head above my ear within the incision sight. Kind of like a water balloon. I had what the Drs. call a "wrap and tap" where they drained off the fluid and put on a tight bandage. The bandage came off before I made it home. {It is over a 2 hour drive to my Drs.}.

My next option is a lumbar drain, but everything I have been reading about that said that it was not very successful. I was wondering if they couldn't patch up the hole with something. I hate the thought of another surgery but I would rather have one that is successful than to go back for a third. Is there anyone out there who has had the same problem and what worked the best for you. Thank you, Dana

[nancyann]

Dana - wish I could help, Jeez, what a thing to go thru.  What symptoms do you have that you found out you have a leak?  how did they find it?  I had my surgery 12 days after you, am interested re: symptoms of fluid leak.  nancy

[trudy]

Hi Dana,
I had a CF leak after surgery.  My symptom was that the fluid
was dripping out of my nose.  After surgery I didn't realize it
because I was laying back in the bed and awoke with a sore
throat not realizing it was dripping down my throat - yuck!
When they came to get me for physical therapy and I sat up
on the side of the bed for the first time, my nose leaked. They
took me down to PT but as soon as they stood me up to use
the walker, bingo - it leaked and they grabbed the tissue I was
using to have it analized.  They put the lumbar drain in that
night - I had to stay in the bed while that was in - so I was in
the hospital during that time - about 9 days.  It healed for which
I was thankful because I did not want to have another surgery
to repair it.  Just the laying in bed was not much fun - but it
did work.  Good luck to you.   Trudy

[Gennysmom]

I had a CSF leak, 8 days in the hospital with a lumbar drain.  Not very fun, but it worked.  That was 4 months ago, and I'm still holding my fluid, knock on wood.