Objectives: Current study aims to use a retrospectively collected data registry of the surgically treated cases of the degenerative spine disease to clarify the relative frequencies of durotomy incidence in our setup over a period of 5–years. Special emphasis devoted to analyze the incidence, impact, and risk factors of adverse events in such cases.

 Methods: A retrospective data from a cohort of patients who underwent surgical intervention in a single center over a five–year period from January 20013 to January 2018 examined. The clinical diagnosis was confirmed by radiological studies (CT scan, MRI…) in all patients. The surgical cases included in our series were for degenerative disc disease.

Results: The overall incidence of the unintended durotomy in the scrutinized group was 10.42%. In the subgroups it varied depending on the specifics of the surgical procedures performed. The biggest number of unintended durotomies was in the subgroup of re–operations– 31(16.93%) cases. Some serious complications have been encountered; 13–cases of pseudo–meningocele, 8–cases had epidural abscess, 2–cases developed meningitis, and one case diagnosed to have arachnoiditis.

Conclusion: This review conducted demonstrates that revision surgery, age, degenerative disease, and elevated surgical invasiveness are significant risk factors. Knowing about the mechanisms and predisposing factors for that serious complication is a matter of utmost importance when planning and performing spinal surgical procedures. Primary repair of durotomies, once recognised, should always be done to prevent complications.