Shunting of the brain in hydrocephalus

Hydrocephalus is a terrible and fairly common diagnosis. In this case, the patient has increased intracranial pressure because of the large accumulation of fluid in the brain. Without proper treatment, the patient's condition will deteriorate, even to death. How can we treat the hydrocephalus of the brain?

The essence of the operation

With the accumulation of liquor( fluid), hydrocephalus develops, as a result of which neurological and psychiatric disorders may appear, since the brain ceases to perform part of its functions. This disease is not amenable to drug treatment.

Can hydrocephalus be treated in other ways? Of course, despite the severity of this disease, it can be cured by surgical intervention, namely, cerebrospinal fluid shunting.

Brain bypass in hydrocephalus is an effective method of treatment, after which the patient can regain full life. Shunting helps restore the functioning of the brain in hydrocephalus.

Important! Shunting of the brain with hydrocephalus is prescribed only after examination of the patient by a neurosurgeon, which determines the indications and contraindications to the operation.

How does the operation happen?

The purpose of the operation is to withdraw the cerebrospinal fluid from the brain to another body cavity. In the cranium, a hole is made, into which a valve-shunting system is inserted, which consists of tubes and a valve. Under the skin, a tunnel is created, along which a catheter is laid to withdraw the CSF into the abdominal cavity.

It should be noted that this operation is performed in different ways. Consider how to treat hydrocephalus by each of them.

Types of operation

There are several types of shunting:

1. Ventriculo-peritoneal bypass is characterized by the fact that the outflow of cerebrospinal fluid from the cerebral ventricles occurs through the shunting system into the abdominal cavity. Catheters lie under the skin and are not visible to others. The amount of liquid removed is regulated by the valve. In the abdominal cavity, the CSF is absorbed by the walls of the intestine.
2. Ventriculo-atrial bypass is characterized by the removal of fluid into the right atrium.
3. With lumbosoritoneal bypass removal of liquor from the spinal canal is carried out with the help of a catheter, withdrawn into the abdominal cavity.

All these types of operations take place according to the different indications of the doctor in accordance with the state of the patient's health.

With the development of modern medicine, endoscopic treatment of hydrocephalus, alignment of ventricular asymmetry, which is less traumatic and does not require the installation of a shunting system, became possible.

Treatment with endoscopy

Endoscopy of the brain in hydrocephalus is also a surgical method for treating this disease.

The endoscopic ventriculostomy of the bottom of the ventricle is common among all operations. The point of this operation is that through a small incision through which an endoscope is inserted, it is possible to carry out diagnostics and perform various manipulations. Likvor is also excreted by means of an endoscope. To do this, a channel is created in the brain to drain the fluid.

Important! Endoscopic treatment allows avoiding complications, since the absence of foreign body implantation reduces the risk of infection.

There are other endoscopic treatments, such as aqueductoplasty and septostomy.

Rehabilitation period after bypass

Any surgical intervention, especially on the brain, can give complications, such as:

• infection;
• blockage of the shunting system or its rupture at the junction;
• system erosion through the skin.

The above complications do not depend on the patient himself. It is important to know that within two weeks after shunting it is necessary to strictly adhere to certain recommendations to prevent complications that depend on the patient's actions.

So, after the operation of dropsy, the following recommendations should be fulfilled:

1. You can not do any work at home, completely eliminate all physical activity.
2. You can not lift objects heavier than two kilograms.
3. It is necessary to take medicine prescribed by a doctor, while eliminating the use of alcohol.
4. Walking in the fresh air.

Only exact implementation of all the doctor's recommendations will help to lead a normal life again, without consequences and the development of complications in the future.