Effect of ventricle-peritoneal shunt in treatment of patients with post-traumatic hydrocephalus combined with severe consciousness disturbance

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effect of ventricle-peritoneal (V-P) shunt in treatment of patients who developed post-traumatic hydrocephalus (PTH) with no symptoms or with atypical symptoms due to an excessively severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).Methods A retrospective study was performed in patients who developed PTH with atypical symptoms undergone V-P shunt from January 2004 to June 2007.Patients' general information,TBI data,PTH severity and postoperative follow-up data were collected and applied to assay the improvement rate in prognosis and its associated factors.Results Thirty-one patients were involved in this study.After 12 months of follow-up,20 (65％) patients revealed significant improvements in clinical symptoms.Among 10 patients who developed PTH after decompressive craniectomy,cranioplasty was performed following V-P shunt and significant improvements were observed in nine patients.Patients' age and severity of PTH based on CT evaluation before shunt placement were strongly correlated with the surgical outcome.Conclusions Most PTH patients with atypical symptoms can benefit from V-P shunt.Additionally,younger patients and those with less severe PTH before V-P shunt are expected a better outcome. Key words: Hydrocephalus; Prognosis; Ventricle-peritoneal shunt