An unfortunate tendency has arisen among many pediatricians, general physicians, and even neurologists, to regard (1) the indications for surgical treatment of myelomeningocele, and (2) the timing of this surgical treatment as one and the same problem. These are, in the opinion of the undersigned, who receives many inquiries in this area, two entirely different problems, of which separate decisions should be reached. Certain statements which have been misinterpreted and misquoted widely have been made and other claims implied by surgeons, pediatricians, and orthopedists. This Commentary is an attempt to answer questions from a number of different sources and clarify, if possible, at least the position of one neurosurgical clinic with a large experience in the management of spina bifida.
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