Successful Treatment of Morel-Lavallée Lesion of the Back With Transcutaneous Transmyofascial Bolstered Progressive Tension Suturing.

Abstract

The authors describe their experience in successfully treating an isolated Morel-Lavallée lesion of the lumbar spine after delayed presentation. In addition to thorough irrigation, debridement, and pseudo-capsulectomy, surgical management included transcutaneous transmyofascial bolstering with a progressive tension suturing technique to close the cavity over drains in a "quilting" fashion. This was followed by 6 days of incisional wound vacuum treatment and 13 days of drainage through 2 Jackson-Pratt drains. At 6-month follow-up, the patient noted resolution of pain and return to baseline level of functioning. No evidence of recurrence was noted. The Morel-Lavallée lesion of the low back represents a difficult soft tissue injury to treat with substantial risk of complications and recurrence. Diagnosing and treating physicians should be familiar with common injury mechanisms and clinical presentations, as well as a variety of nonoperative and operative treatment options. [Orthopedics. 2019; 42(4):e399-e401.].