A Retrospective Study of Encephalocele Management: Institutional Experience

A bstract Goal: To provide an overview of encephalocele care and assess the outcomes in our institutions over a three-year period. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on all newborns hospitalized and operated on for encephalocele at the Department of Neurosurgery of UPUMS Saifai hospitals between June 2020 and June 2023. Results: This research included 55 babies with encephalocele ranging in age from one day to three years, with a mean age standard deviation of 247 ± 22 days. According to location and morphology, six types of encephaloceles were treated: 21 (38.1%) occipital, 11 (20%) atretic, 10 (18.18%) vault, seven (12.7%) occipital-cervical, four (7.2%) ethmoidal, and two (3.6%) double encephaloceles. We divided encephaloceles into three sizes: small, medium, and giant. We discovered that 18.18% of newborns had hydrocephalus. Only seven deaths were documented, and five of these had nothing to do with encephalocele or its care. Conclusions: Encephalocele management entails thorough investigations and accurate diagnosis to devise the best surgical approach. A favorable outcome requires meticulous patient preparation, surgery, and thorough postoperative care and follow-up. Associated hydrocephalus, which was not significantly associated with encephalocele type or size, as well as neurological and non-neurological diseases, is prevalent and should be considered.