title: Endoscopic third ventriculostomy.
abstract: The traditional treatment for all forms of hydrocephalus has been the implantation of ventricular shunt systems; however, these systems have inherent tendencies toward complications such as malfunction and infection. A significant advance in the treatment of hydrocephalus has been the evolution of endoscopy. The recent technological advances in this field have led to a renewed interest in endoscopic third ventriculostomy as the treatment of choice for obstructive hydrocephalus. Although several different endoscopes are available, the authors favor a rigid one to perform a blunt fenestration of the third ventricle floor. This description of the technique stresses the nuances for successful completion of this procedure.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland 21287, USA. gjallo1@jhmi.edu
authors.forename: George I
authors.initials: GI
authors.lastname: Jallo
authors.forename: Karl F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Kothbauer
authors.forename: I Rick
authors.initials: IR
authors.lastname: Abbott
mesh_terms: D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D020542:Third Ventricle / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014696:Ventriculostomy / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends