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
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. .
ETV is a minimally invasive procedure that creates a new CSF drainage pathway within the brain’s ventricles using an endoscope, bypassing the blockage without implanting a shunt. It is preferred when hydrocephalus is caused by obstructive causes (e.g., aqueductal stenosis) as it avoids the long-term risks of shunt dependency.
ETV success rates are highest in adults and older children with obstructive hydrocephalusapproximately 70–80% long-term success. In infants and very young children, success rates are lower and VP shunting may be more appropriate. Patient selection is key to achieving the best outcomes with ETV.
ETV is a short procedure typically lasting 30–60 minutes under general anaesthesia. Hospital stay is 2–3 days. Most patients recover quickly with relief of hydrocephalus symptoms within days. Regular follow-up MRI is performed to confirm continued patency of the ventriculostomy and monitor ventricular size.
Department of Neurosurgery - Zulekha Hospital, First Floor - Block B - 204th Rd, Al Nahda - Al Nahda 2 - Dubai
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