Outcome analysis of shunt surgery in hydrocephalus.
OBJECTIVE
To study the clinical outcome of shunt surgeries in children suffering from hydrocephalus.


METHODS
A prospective study of 50 children with hydrocephalus who underwent a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt insertion over a period of two years. These patients were then followed up for shunt related complications, shunt revisions and outcome.


RESULTS
Twenty six of the 50 patients (52%) suffered from complications. The most common complications were shunt blockage (n=7) and shunt infection (n=6). These complications necessitated repeated shunt revisions.


CONCLUSIONS
Infective complications of hydrocephalus are more likely to leave behind an adverse neurological outcome in the form of delayed milestones and mental retardation.
Ahmed
Ashraf
A
Department of Pediatric Surgery, Lokmanya Tilak Muncipal General Hospital, Sion, Mumbai, India.
Sandlas
Gursev
G
Kothari
Paras
P
Sarda
Dinesh
D
Gupta
Abhaya
A
Karkera
Parag
P
Joshi
Prashant
P