E-ISSN: 1019-5157
ISSN: 2651-5024
Research
Histopathological Examination of Sac Membranes for Use as a Skin Graft in Large Meningomyelocele defects
NEŞE KURT ÖZKAYA✉ ,
HATİCE REYHAN EĞİLMEZ ,
BURÇAK SÖYLEMEZ ,
GAFFARİ TUNÇ
Plastic Reconstructive Aesthetic Surgery, Cumhuriyet University; Neurological Surgery, University of Sivas Cumhuriyet
DOI: 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.50427-26.4
Accepted: 27/06/2026
Article in Press
Corresponding Author:
NEŞE KURT ÖZKAYA (ozkayanesekurt@gmail.com)
Abstract
Aim
Skin grafts or flaps are used in the repair of meningomyelocele (MMC) defects. This study aimed to evaluate the histopathological structures of the meningomyelocele sac in MMC and, if appropriate, to use them in defect repair.
Material and Methods
The demographic and clinical data of the patients and the histological structures of
Tissue sections were evaluated.
Results
The patient comprised 33(56.9%) female newborns and 25 (43.1%) males. The MMCs were located in the lumbosacral region in 36 (62.1%) cases and in the thoracolumbar region in 22 (37.9%). Flaps prepared from the surrounding tissue were applied to 45 (77.5%) patients. In the flap donor site, skin graft was used in 3 patients, and autologous MMC sac was used as a graft in two patients. Epidermis composed of keratinized squamous cells was present in 52(89.7%) cases. With the exception of one case, hyperkeratosis was present in all the other cases, and only 5 (8.6%) cases had flattening in retes. Reticular dermis was observed in 51 (87.1%) cases. Inflammation of the epidermis was dense in 8 (13.8%) cases and moderate in 17(29.3%). Severe hyperemia was observed in 50 cases (86.2%), and moderate hyperemia in 5 cases (8.6%). All the materials (100%) were a pilosebaceous unit and sweat glands were observed all but one case.
Conclusion
According to the histopathological data obtained, the sac membrane contains suitable skin graft structures, including the dermis and skin appendages. Therefore, when skin graft is required for patients with MMC, a sac membrane can be considered a good option instead of a skin graft.
Skin grafts or flaps are used in the repair of meningomyelocele (MMC) defects. This study aimed to evaluate the histopathological structures of the meningomyelocele sac in MMC and, if appropriate, to use them in defect repair.
Material and Methods
The demographic and clinical data of the patients and the histological structures of
Tissue sections were evaluated.
Results
The patient comprised 33(56.9%) female newborns and 25 (43.1%) males. The MMCs were located in the lumbosacral region in 36 (62.1%) cases and in the thoracolumbar region in 22 (37.9%). Flaps prepared from the surrounding tissue were applied to 45 (77.5%) patients. In the flap donor site, skin graft was used in 3 patients, and autologous MMC sac was used as a graft in two patients. Epidermis composed of keratinized squamous cells was present in 52(89.7%) cases. With the exception of one case, hyperkeratosis was present in all the other cases, and only 5 (8.6%) cases had flattening in retes. Reticular dermis was observed in 51 (87.1%) cases. Inflammation of the epidermis was dense in 8 (13.8%) cases and moderate in 17(29.3%). Severe hyperemia was observed in 50 cases (86.2%), and moderate hyperemia in 5 cases (8.6%). All the materials (100%) were a pilosebaceous unit and sweat glands were observed all but one case.
Conclusion
According to the histopathological data obtained, the sac membrane contains suitable skin graft structures, including the dermis and skin appendages. Therefore, when skin graft is required for patients with MMC, a sac membrane can be considered a good option instead of a skin graft.
Keywords
Newborn
meningomyelocele
meningomyelocele sac membrane
sac membrane graft
skin graft