Toward reducing shunt placement rates in patients with myelomeningocele.
OBJECTIVE
The prevalence of shunt-dependent hydrocephalus in patients with myelomeningocele has been reported to be in the region of 85%, and shunt-related complications are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in these patients. Since 1997 the authors have adopted a stringent policy with respect to shunt placement in patients with myelomeningocele, reserving this treatment for those with symptomatic hydrocephalus, severe ventricular dilation at the time of presentation, and/or unequivocal progressive ventriculomegaly after primary closure. They report their experience.


METHODS
The authors reviewed all cases of myelomeningocele involving patients who presented to their institution over a 10-year period. They excluded cases in which the primary closure was carried out at another institution or in which there was not at least 12 months of clinical and imaging follow-up. Data regarding shunt insertion shunt-related complications, and clinical outcome were obtained from a review of the clinical records and analyzed.


RESULTS
Fifty-four cases satisfied the inclusion criteria for this study. Shunt insertion was performed in 28 of these cases (51.9%).


CONCLUSIONS
Applying more stringent guidelines for shunt placement, permitting moderate ventricular dilation, and accepting some mild increase in ventricular size after myelomeningocele closure has resulted in a reduced rate of shunt placement compared with previous series. The rate is comparable to that reported following in utero closure of myelomeningocele.
Chakraborty
Aabir
A
Department of Neurosurgery, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children, London, United Kingdom.
Crimmins
Darach
D
Hayward
Richard
R
Thompson
Dominic
D
D002557:Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008591:Meningomyelocele / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome