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Eur J Pediatr Surg 1989; 44: 32-34
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1043289
Original article

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Ventricular Shunting for Hydrocephalus Following Intraventricular Haemorrhage

J. P. Roberts , D. M. Burge
  • Wessex Regional Centre for Paediatric Surgery, Southampton, U. K.
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Publication History

Publication Date:
25 March 2008 (online)

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Abstract

31 patients underwent ventricular shunting (17 VA and 14 VP) for post-haemorrhagic hydrocephalus over 11 years. The mean gestational age was 31.8 ± 4.17 (1 SD) weeks and birth weight 1.83 ± 0.77 (1 SD) kg, with no differences between the VA and VP groups. Shunts inserted < 5 weeks of age failed more frequently than those inserted after 5 weeks. There were 5 early (< 30 days) blocks all in VP shunts (p = 0.023) but no difference in distal catheter blockage rate (p = 0.14). There were no early infections.

In later follow-up, 35% of patients had block episodes and 22% infective episodes with no significant difference between the type of shunt used. Overall mortality was 6.5% and not related to shunt complications. Revisions were more frequent in VP shunts (0.9 revisions/shunt year) than VA shunts (0.6 revs/shunt year). Using life table analysis 60% of VP and 30% of VA shunts failed within 2 years of insertion.

Key words

Intraventricular haemorrhage - Ventricular shunting - Morbidity

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