Durotomy: A common complication of spinal surgery -- and an important factor in some malpractice cases

(Wolters Kluwer Health) Incidental durotomy -- small tears of the outer membrane of the spinal cord -- are a common occurrence in spinal surgery, and may lead to litigation. Most malpractice cases associated with dural tear end in a ruling in favor of the surgeon, reports a study in the journal Spine, published by Wolters Kluwer.