Treatment, Surgery & Anesthesia
Watertight closure
A watertight closure is a seal of the dura that fully prevents cerebrospinal fluid from leaking, a key goal of encephalocele surgery.
In short: Watertight closure
- It is essential to prevent CSF leaks and meningitis.
- It seals the dura completely.
- It may involve a graft to achieve.
- It is a central measure of a successful closure.
What it is
It is a complete seal of the dura that fully prevents cerebrospinal fluid from leaking. It is one of the defining goals of a successful encephalocele repair.
Understanding Watertight closure
Achieving a watertight closure prevents CSF from escaping (which could cause a leak, such as CSF rhinorrhea) and blocks a pathway for infection like meningitis. It may require a graft (duraplasty) and meticulous technique to ensure the seal is complete. Because so many post-surgical complications relate to CSF leaks, a watertight closure is a central measure of the repair's success.
Why it matters
Understanding watertight closure helps families see why surgeons emphasize a complete seal — it is the key step that protects against the most common post-surgical concerns, CSF leaks and infection.
Common questions
What is a watertight closure?
A complete seal preventing CSF leakage.
Why does it matter?
It prevents CSF leaks and infection.
How is it achieved?
With careful technique, sometimes using a graft.
Bottom line
A watertight closure fully seals the dura to prevent CSF leaks and infection, a central goal of surgery.
Browse all 265 Encephalocele definitions
Read the Encephalocele patient guides
Not sure which page you need? Put words to it with the symptom navigator