Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
TURK PEDIATRI ARSIVI-TURKISH ARCHIVES OF PEDIATRICS, cilt.48, sa.3, ss.200-203, 2013 (ESCI)
Aim: Controlled removal of cerebrospinal fluid by serial tapping of ventricular reservoir, is an effective way to decompress the ventricular system while awaiting optimal conditions for permanent cerebrospinal fluid drainage through a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt. The aim of our study is to present our experience on patients for whom a ventricular reservoir was placed because of progressive hydrocephalus. Material and Method: The record of 18 patients who were born between 2005-2009 and diagnosed with progressive hydrocephalus for whom a ventricular reservoir was placed was reviewed retrospectively. The indications and complications and the need for ventriculoperitoneal shunt are documented. Results: Among the 18 patients 13 were preterm (mean birth weight 1542 +/- 522 g; mean gestational age 29.9 +/- 3.4 weeks), 5 were determined as term (mean birth weight 3270 +/- 679 g; mean gestational age 38 +/- 0.7 weeks). The etiology of hydrocephalus was intraventricular hemorrhage in 11, meningomyelocele in 4, congenital hydrocephalus in 3 patients. Mean insertion time of the reservoir was 21,5 days (range 7-71 days) of birth, while the mean follow up period with reservoir was 31,5 days (range 7-122 days). Ventriculoperitoneal shunt was placed to 16 infants (88 %). Complications related to the reservoir were skin infection in one patient and skin necrosis in one patient. Three babies with intraventricular hemorrhage and one baby with congenital hydrocephalus and muscular disease died due to aspiaration pneumonia in the postneonatal period, and the other baby with congenital hydrocephalus died due to multiorgan failure. Conclusions: Ventricular reservoir placement is an effective procedure for cerebrospinal fluid drainage in cases of progressive hydrocephalus. Our study demonstrates that ventricular reservoir is a better alternative than serial lumbar punctures to prevent permanent damage secondary to progressive hydrocephalus on brain parenchyme in those babies when ventriculoperitoneal shunt insertion is not possible.