External Lumbar Drain Treatment in India
About External Lumbar Drain
Key Highlights
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Provides both diagnostic evaluation and therapeutic treatment for CSF-related disorders.Offers a minimally invasive approach to managing elevated intracranial pressure.Allows for precise, controlled drainage and continuous monitoring of cerebrospinal fluid.Can prevent or treat complications like CSF leaks after neurosurgery or spinal procedures.Often leads to rapid relief of symptoms such as severe headaches, nausea, and cognitive issues.
Who is this surgery for?
- Diagnosis and temporary treatment of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH).
- Management of a postoperative or traumatic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak.
- Treatment of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri).
- Preoperative planning for shunt placement in hydrocephalus.
- Reduction of intracranial pressure following subarachnoid hemorrhage or severe head injury.
- As a therapeutic trial to predict response to a permanent shunt procedure.
How to prepare
- A thorough neurological examination and review of medical imaging (CT or MRI scans).
- Blood tests to check coagulation status and rule out infection.
- Discussion of the procedure, its benefits, and potential risks with the neurosurgical team.
- Informed consent must be obtained from the patient or legal guardian.
- The patient is positioned on their side or sitting, and the lower back area is cleaned and sterilized.
- Local anesthesia is administered to numb the skin and tissues at the puncture site.
Risks & possible complications
- Infection, including meningitis or local infection at the insertion site.
- Bleeding or hematoma formation around the spinal cord.
- Post-dural puncture headache due to CSF leakage.
- Nerve root injury leading to temporary or permanent numbness, tingling, or weakness.
- Catheter blockage, displacement, or accidental dislodgement.
- Over-drainage of CSF, which can cause low-pressure headaches, subdural hematoma, or brain sagging.
Recovery & hospital stay
- The patient must remain on bed rest, often flat or with slight elevation, as directed to regulate CSF flow.
- Vital signs and neurological status are monitored frequently in the hospital.
- The drainage system is checked regularly for proper function, output volume, and clarity of fluid.
- Patients are advised to avoid straining, heavy lifting, or sudden movements.
- Once the drain is removed, the site is covered with a sterile dressing; patients can usually resume light activities soon after.
- Follow-up appointments are essential to assess the treatment's effectiveness and monitor for any delayed complications.
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Typical hospital stay:
3-7 days
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Expected recovery time:
1-2 weeks
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering external lumbar drain in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for external lumbar drain in India include Miot Hospital Chennai, Cytecare Hospital, Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Kamineni Hospital, King Koti, Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform external lumbar drain. MediFyr helps you compare neurosurgeons and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for external lumbar drain compare across other countries where we have data.
Top hospitals for External Lumbar Drain in India
These partner hospitals in India have dedicated neurosurgery teams and experience managing patients undergoing external lumbar drain.
Hyderabad, India
67 Doctors
Pooja Singh, a 42-year-old software engineer...
Pooja Singh, a 42-year-old software engineer and mother of two, had been suffering from debilitating positional headaches for three weeks following a minor car accident. The headaches were so severe when she sat up or stood that she was confined to bed, unable to care for her children. A CT scan was normal, but her symptoms were classic for a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak. Her neurosurgeon, Dr. Chen, recommended an External Lumbar Drain (ELD) as both a diagnostic and therapeutic tool. The procedure, placing a thin catheter in her lower back to drain CSF, was done under local anesthesia. Pooja was anxious but felt only pressure. For 48 hours, she lay flat in the hospital bed while the drain slowly diverted CSF, allowing the suspected leak in her spinal dura to heal. The relief was almost immediate; her headache vanished. After the drain was removed, she could sit up pain-free. Emotionally, she transitioned from despair and helplessness to profound relief and gratitude, feeling like she had her life and her role as a mother back.
Neurosurgeons for External Lumbar Drain
Explore experienced neurosurgeons who regularly perform external lumbar drain and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 29 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Bangalore
- 26 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Bangalore
- 11 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Bangalore
- 25 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Bangalore
- 9 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Bangalore
- 17 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Kharadi, Pune
- 16 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Kharadi, Pune
- 11 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Kharadi, Pune
- 14 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Jayanagar, Bangalore
- 41 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
SIMS Hospital Vadapalani, Chennai
- 30 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
SIMS Hospital Vadapalani, Chennai
- 13 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
SIMS Hospital Vadapalani, Chennai
- 10 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
SIMS Hospital Vadapalani, Chennai
- 15 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Siliguri, Siliguri
- 13 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Siliguri, Siliguri
- 20 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Hebbal, Bangalore
- 11 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Hebbal, Bangalore
- 17 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar
- 14 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Kamineni Hospital, Tadigadapa, vijayawada
- 13 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar