Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomies

Endoscopic third Ventriculostomy surgery (ETV surgery) is a surgical treatment for obstructive hydrocephalus in which the excess cerebrospinal fluid collected in the brain is drained out to relieve the pressure. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is produced by the choroid plexus in the ventricular system in the brain which consists of four cavities, two lateral ventricles, a third ventricle, and a fourth ventricle. These ventricles are connected via channels. Hydrocephalus is a condition where there is excessive accumulation of the CSF either due to increased production, obstruction to the flow or decreased absorption of the CSF.

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy surgery can be used to treat hydrocephalus caused by obstruction to the flow or in some cases of decreased absorption of the CSF.

Risks involved with Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy surgery

Some of the risks involved with this procedure are

The surgical procedure can fail due to blockage or closure of the ventricular drainage hole (ventriculostomy) or the formation of membranes.

The procedure of the Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy

The procedure of the Endoscopic third Ventriculostomy surgery involves a small incision in the bottom of the third ventricle in the brain so that collected CSF can drain out and move into the spinal canal

If the hydrocephalus is due to decreased absorption of the CSF, ETV neurosurgery may be performed with an additional procedure called choroid plexus cauterization in which the choroid plexus, a structure producing the CSF is burnt to decrease the CSF production.

The endoscopic third ventriculostomy surgery takes place under general anesthesia and usually takes around 60 minutes. The Neurosurgeon drills a small hole (burr hole) in the skull to insert a small video camera (endoscope) to access the third ventricle of the brain. Once the endoscopic third ventriculostomy surgery is completed, the entry point may be covered with a small metal plate or can be left open and then the skin is closed

Recovery after the Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy surgery

ETV neurosurgery is a one-day surgery where after the surgical treatment, the patient is kept in the hospital for a day or two.

Post operative scan s are rarely required immediately after the ETV neurosurgery but it will be usually done a few weeks after the surgery to see the size of the ventricle.

Patients with obstructive hydrocephalus can be treated with a minimally invasive endoscopic procedure that bypasses the blockage, restoring the appropriate flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The success rate of the Endoscopic third Ventriculostomy surgery depends on the factors such as age, cause of hydrocephalus, or space below the third ventricle.

If you have been diagnosed with Hydrocephalus and the neurosurgeon had advised you to undergo the Endoscopic third Ventriculostomy surgery, get a second opinion from another Best Neurosurgeon in Dubai to know about any other possible treatment option. .

Dr. Arun Rajeswaran

Consult Dr. Arun with a professional experience of more than 13 years in the field of Neurosurgery

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