title: Neuroendoscopic surgery in children: an analysis of 200 consecutive procedures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Neuroendoscopic surgery in children has particular features and is associated with different success rates (SR). The aim of this study was to identify putative factors that could influence the outcome in pediatric patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical data of 177 patients under 18 years of age submitted to 200 consecutive neuroendoscopic procedures from January 2000 to January 2010 were reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall success rate was 77%. Out of the patients with successful outcomes, 46% were under six months, 68% were between six months and one year of age, and 85% older than one year. Neuroendoscopic techniques provide very good results for a wide number of indications in children. Tumor-related cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) circulation problems and aqueductal stenosis seem to be particularly well suited to neuroendoscopic treatment regardless of the patient's age.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients' age and etiology of hydrocephalus were associated with a different outcome. In all cases, surgical experience is extremely important to reduce complications.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery of the Department of Surgery and Anatomy, University Hospital, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luciano Lopes
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Furlanetti
authors.forename: Marcelo Volpon
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: Ricardo Santos de
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Oliveira
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000502:physiology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D059032:Learning Curve; D008297:Male; D044583:Neuroendoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome