Effects of ETV and VPS on cognitive impairment in infants with congenital hydrocephalus: A retrospective study

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the postoperative cognitive function changes of infants who underwent endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) or ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) for the treatment of congenital hydrocephalus. Data of 70 hydrocephalus infants and children were retrospectively analyzed. Among these patients, 20 patients underwent ETV, 27 patients underwent VPS, and 23 patients did not undergo any operation (controls). All patients were routinely cared after discharge. The Gecell Developmental Diagnostic Scale was filled for all patients at 2 weeks, 2 months, and 6 months after diagnosis. A total of 20 patients in the ETV group were followed up for 6 months. Among these patients, the clinical symptoms of 18 patients significantly improved. Results determined at 6 months after surgery in the ETV group was statistically significant, compared with the control group ( P < 0.05). Results determined at 2 and 6 months after surgery in the VPS group were statistically significant, compared with the control group ( P < 0.05). Developmental quotient (DQ) values in these two operation groups increased after the operation ( P < 0.01), and the differences were statistically significant. ETV and VPS can improve the cognitive function of infants with hydrocephalus. Improvement of cognitive function by VPS is more significant for infants.