Clinical experience with the low pressure Novus valve in the treatment of adult hydrocephalus.
OBJECTIVE
The low pressure Novus valve is a pressure differential valve with a normally open siphon control mechanism. This study evaluates our experience with this valve in adult hydrocephalus and is the first published clinical review of the Novus valve.


METHODS
From June 1999, we prospectively inserted low pressure Novus valves in all patients requiring new ventriculoperitoneal and ventriculoatrial shunts and requiring shunt valve revision. In December 2000, 52 patients were retrospectively reviewed.


RESULTS
The major causes of hydrocephalus were intracranial haemorrhage (18), tumour (10), normal pressure hydrocephalus (10) and trauma (9). Forty one procedures were first shunts and eleven were revisions. The Novus valve was revised once. Complications include one infection and one sudden death from cerebral haemorrhage. No patients developed overdrainage symptoms or subdural haematomas. There were large improvements in symptoms. Ninety-three percent of the patients reported an improvement in daily function and quality of life. The remaining 7% reported no change, despite improvements in symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
The Novus low pressure valve is an effective first choice of valve for adult hydrocephalus.
Chong
Colin C W
CC
Department of Neurosurgery, Liverpool Health Service, South Western Sydney Area Health Service, University of New South Wales, Australia.
van Gelder
James
J
Sheridan
Mark
M
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002552:Cerebral Ventricles / Q000601:surgery; D002557:Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006850:Hydrocephalus, Normal Pressure / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011788:Quality of Life; D011859:Radiography; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome