Pediatrics - Postnatal Myelomeningocele Repair: Japanese Cohort Outcomes vs. MOMS Trial

In this episode, we delve into the outcomes of postnatal myelomeningocele repair in Japan, comparing a single-center Japanese cohort to the Management of Myelomeningocele Study (MOMS) trial. This abstract-based review from Neurologia medico-chirurgica (2026) examines 65 patients who underwent postnatal repair between 2002 and 2021. The study found largely comparable rates of shunt placement and ambulation at 12 and 30 months, respectively, when contrasted with the MOMS postnatal group. Interestingly, the Japanese cohort exhibited a lower shunt infection rate but a higher incidence of surgeries for symptomatic Chiari II malformation and tethered cord syndrome. These findings offer crucial baseline data for counseling families and evaluating the introduction of fetal surgery in Japan. This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.