Foramen magnum decompression for Chiari I malformation: A procedure not to be underestimated

AbstractObjective. Chiari I malformationmay be treated with foramen magnumdecompression (FMD). We aim to describe the symptoms with which patients initially present, and to determine the number and type of complications occurring after FMD for Chiari I malformation. Methods. Retrospective review of medical records for patients who had FMD performed for Chiari I malformationbetween January 2009 and December 2011. Post-operative outcomes were recorded and analysed. Patient demographic details and other relevant medical conditions were also noted. Results. Between January 2009 and December 2011, 54 FMDs were performed for Chiari I malformation. Among them, 40(74%) patients were female and 14 patients (26%) were male. The majority of patients (42.6%) were aged 16–39 years and 24.07% of patients were children aged < 16 years. A total of 30(55.6%) patients had documented evidence of a syrinx pre-operatively. 18(33.3%) patients developed complications. Nine of these developed multiple complications while nine...