The Impact of Foramen Magnum Decompression With versus Without Duraplasty on Symptom Improvement and Syrinx Reduction in Chiari 1 Malformation Patients

No differences in overall symptom improvement or syrinx reduction were seen between patients undergoing FMD and FMDD. However, patients undergoing FMDD had longer lengths of stay in hospital. The lack of difference in symptom improvement and syrinx reduction may promote FMD as a better surgical technique. Furthermore, the role for individual symptoms in predicting symptom improvement and syrinx reduction was demonstrated. Larger studies will be required to validate which technique is better suited for patients with Chiari 1 malformations and to investigate the role of symptoms in predicting outcomes.