Outcomes of Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy in Treating Obstructive Hydrocephalus

Abstract

Background: Obstructive hydrocephalus poses significant treatment challenges, often necessitating innovative surgical interventions to alleviate symptoms and improve patient outcomes. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) has emerged as a viable alternative to traditional shunting procedures, offering the promise of a less invasive approach with potentially lower complication rates. This study seeks to deepen our understanding of ETV's effectiveness and safety, shedding light on its role in the current treatment paradigm for obstructive hydrocephalus.
 Objective: The primary objective of this investigation was to evaluate the surgical outcomes of ETV in patients with obstructive hydrocephalus, focusing on changes in the severity of hydrocephalus and the presence of comorbid conditions pre- and postoperatively.
 Methods: A comprehensive retrospective analysis was conducted on 54 patients who underwent ETV for obstructive hydrocephalus. Patients were selected based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria to ensure a homogenous study population. Preoperative and postoperative assessments included the severity of hydrocephalus and the identification of comorbid conditions, with outcomes measured at 6 and 12 months post-surgery. Statistical analyses employed included Chi-square tests for categorical variables, with a significance level set at p<0.05.
 Results: Postoperative evaluations revealed a significant reduction in the severity of hydrocephalus, with 59% of patients categorized as mild post-surgery compared to 37% pre-surgery. Severe hydrocephalus was reduced from 30% to 11%. However, the presence of comorbid conditions showed no significant change postoperatively (41% pre-surgery vs. 37% post-surgery, p>0.05). The complication rate was minimal, indicating the procedure's safety.
 Conclusion: ETV demonstrated a significant positive impact on reducing the severity of hydrocephalus in patients, confirming its efficacy as a treatment option. However, its effect on comorbid conditions was less pronounced, suggesting a need for integrated care strategies. These findings support the continued use and further study of ETV in the treatment of obstructive hydrocephalus.