Placement of a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt (without shunt cost)

Ventriculoperitoneal shunting

Ventriculoperitoneal shunting surgery is surgery to treat excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the cavities (ventricles) of the brain (hydrocephalus).

How is a shunt inserted?

This procedure is performed in an operating room under general anesthesia. The duration of the operation is from 1 to 1.5 hours. A tube (catheter) is inserted from the head into the abdomen to drain excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The pressure valve and anti-siphon device ensure that the required amount of liquid is drained.

Why is a ventriculoperitoneal shunt inserted?

This operation is performed when there is too much cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain and spinal cord - hydrocephalus. This causes higher than normal pressure on the brain, which can cause brain damage.

Babies can be born with hydrocephalus and other birth defects of the spine or brain. Hydrocephalus can also occur in older people.

Shunting surgery should be performed immediately after the diagnosis of hydrocephalus.

In what sequence is the operation performed?

The procedure is performed as follows:

• The surgeon makes an incision in the skin behind the ear (a section of hair on the head is shaved - this can be behind the ear, on the crown, or the back of the head), another small surgical incision is made in the abdomen.
• A small hole is drilled into the skull. One end of the catheter is inserted into the ventricle of the brain. This can be done using an endoscope, which allows the surgeon to see the inside of the ventricle.
• A second catheter is inserted under the skin behind the ear and is guided down the neck and chest, and usually into the abdomen. A catheter is placed in the abdomen using an endoscope. The doctor may also make several more small incisions, such as in the neck or near the collarbone so that the catheter will pass under the skin.
• The valve is connected to both catheters. When additional pressure is created around the brain, the valve opens and excess fluid flows through the catheter into the abdomen or chest. This helps to reduce intracranial pressure. A reservoir on the valve allows you to prime (drain) the valve and collect CSF if necessary.

At the Dobrobut Medical Center in Kyiv, our neurosurgeons perform ventriculoperitoneal shunting routinely using the most modern technology and equipment.

You can sign up for a consultation with our MS Dobrobut specialists by leaving a request on our website or by calling the call center.

Bibliography

1. Badhiwala JH, Kulkarni AV. Ventricular shunting procedures. In: Winn HR, ed. Youmans and Winn Neurological Surgery. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 201.
2. Rosenberg GA. Brain edema and disorders of cerebrospinal fluid circulation. In: Daroff RB, Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, eds. Bradley's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 88.