About Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt
Key Highlights
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Effectively relieves dangerous pressure on the brain caused by excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).Alleviates debilitating symptoms such as chronic headaches, nausea, vomiting, and vision problems.Helps prevent permanent neurological damage and cognitive decline associated with untreated hydrocephalus.Restores normal CSF flow and can significantly improve a patient's quality of life and daily functioning.The implanted shunt system is designed for long-term management, though it may require monitoring and occasional revision.
Who is this surgery for?
- Hydrocephalus (communicating or non-communicating) diagnosed via imaging like CT or MRI scans.
- Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH) presenting with the classic triad of gait disturbance, urinary incontinence, and dementia.
- Post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus, often following an intracranial hemorrhage or stroke.
- Post-infectious hydrocephalus resulting from conditions like meningitis.
- Hydrocephalus secondary to brain tumors obstructing CSF pathways.
- Congenital hydrocephalus present in infants and children.
- Pseudotumor cerebri (Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension) when other treatments fail.
How to prepare
- Comprehensive neurological evaluation and imaging studies (CT/MRI) to confirm hydrocephalus and plan the surgery.
- Pre-operative blood tests, ECG, and chest X-ray to assess overall fitness for anesthesia.
- Discussion of all medications with the neurosurgeon; discontinuation of blood thinners (e.g., aspirin, warfarin) as advised.
- Fasting (no food or drink) for 6-8 hours before the scheduled procedure.
- Informed consent process detailing the procedure's benefits, risks, and alternatives.
- Shaving of a small area of the head and abdomen at the surgical sites.
Risks & possible complications
- Infection: Shunt infection is a serious complication that may require antibiotic treatment and temporary shunt removal.
- Shunt Malfunction: The shunt can become blocked, disconnected, or over-drain/under-drain CSF, necessitating revision surgery.
- Bleeding: Risk of intracranial or abdominal bleeding during or after the procedure.
- Seizures: Potential for new-onset seizures post-operatively.
- Abdominal Complications: Can include pain, fluid collection (pseudocyst), or bowel perforation (rare).
- Hardware-related Issues: Skin erosion over the shunt tubing or allergic reaction to shunt material.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Initial recovery in the hospital for monitoring of neurological status and shunt function, typically lasting 2-5 days.
- Pain at the incision sites is managed with prescribed medications.
- Patients are instructed to watch for signs of shunt malfunction or infection, such as severe headache, fever, redness along the shunt tract, vomiting, or drowsiness.
- Avoidance of strenuous activities, heavy lifting, and contact sports for several weeks as advised by the surgeon.
- Incision sites must be kept clean and dry until fully healed to prevent infection.
- Regular follow-up appointments with the neurosurgeon for clinical assessment and sometimes imaging to ensure the shunt is working correctly.
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Typical hospital stay: 2-5 days
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Expected recovery time: 4-6 weeks
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering ventriculoperitoneal shunt in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for ventriculoperitoneal shunt in India include Medanta The Medicity, Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Cytecare Hospital, Miot Hospital Chennai, Nanavati Max Hospital, 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 ventriculoperitoneal shunt. 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 ventriculoperitoneal shunt compare across other countries where we have data.
Top hospitals for Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt in India
These partner hospitals in India have dedicated neurosurgery teams and experience managing patients undergoing ventriculoperitoneal shunt.
At my age, you worry about...
At my age, you worry about being a bother. Dr. Narayanamurthy never made me feel that way. He explained my medication changes slowly, and his manner was very calming. The clinic at MGM was busy, but he took his time.
Neurosurgeons for Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt
Explore experienced neurosurgeons who regularly perform ventriculoperitoneal shunt and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 30 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram
- 27 Years Experience
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Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram
- 12 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram
- 26 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram
- 10 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram
- 18 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Kharadi
- 17 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Kharadi
- 12 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Kharadi
- 15 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Jayanagar
- 42 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
SIMS Hospital Vadapalani
- 31 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
SIMS Hospital Vadapalani
- 14 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
SIMS Hospital Vadapalani
- 11 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
SIMS Hospital Vadapalani
- 16 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Siliguri
- 14 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Siliguri
- 21 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Hebbal
- 12 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Hebbal
- 18 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar
- 15 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Kamineni Hospital Vijayawada
- 14 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar