Application Ommaya pump in acute obstructive hydrocephalus in children

Abstract

Objective To review the Ommaya pump application in acute obstructive hydrocephalus in children. Methods We carried out a retrospective analysis of 22 children with obstructive hydrocephalus admitted into our department between 2006 2009. The causes of hydrocephalus included intraventricular hemorrhage secondary to vitamin K deficiency and tuberculous meningitis. Ommaya pump were implanted and the ventricle size and cerebrospinal fluid cell count, protein content were studied. Results Seven children had intracranial infection and treated with antibiotic injection into pump for 2-4 months. Follow-up revealed no recurrence. Fifteen children with ventricle hemorrhage and hydrocephalus underwent drainage from the pump. CT scan after 1-2 weeks demonstrated disappearance of ventricle hemorrhage. There was, no intracranial infection. Conclusions Ommaya pump for the treatment of acute obstructive hydrocephalus produces good result. The surgery is simple. It incurs less trauma and has less complications. Key words: Ommaya; Obstructive hydrocephalus