Hydrocephalus therapy: reduction of shunt occlusions using a peel-away sheath.
In order to avoid shunt occlusions through particles of brain parenchyma a new procedure was used. Conventionally during ventricle puncture brain tissue may intrude into perforating holes of the ventricular catheter and subsequently shunt dysfunction may occur. By using a peel-away sheath the ventricular catheter can be protected during puncture. The conventional technique (n=90) was compared with the peel-away sheath technique (n=20) in a retrospective analyses in regard to shunt revisions during a 1-year period. Shunt revision was done in 18% (16/90) within 1 year using the conventional technique, respectively, 5% (1/20) using the peel-away sheath technique. Although criteria for statistical significance were not reached these data are worth to be mentioned. A randomised prospective study is initiated and the key features are presented.
Kehler
Uwe
U
Neurosurgical Department, University Hospital Hamburg Eppendorf, 20246, Hamburg, Germany. kehler@uke.uni-hamburg.de
Klöhn
A
A
Heese
O
O
Gliemroth
J
J
D002552:Cerebral Ventricles; D004867:Equipment Design; D004868:Equipment Failure; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000628:therapy*; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017287:Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt / Q000009:adverse effects*