Question 1

What Is The Goal of VPS?

Accepted Answer

The goal of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) is to reduce the abnormally high pressure inside the brain. This is achieved by placing a catheter in the brain that allows the drainage of excess fluid into the abdomen.

Question 2

How Is It Done?

Accepted Answer

The patient goes to sleep with general anesthesia. A small hole is made in the skull on the top of the head, behind the hairline. A small catheter is directed into the fluid-filled cavity in the brain (ventricle). Tubing is tunneled to a place behind the ear where a valve is placed to regulate fluid flow.

Tubing is again tunneled down to the belly (peritoneum), where the fluid can drain freely and be absorbed by the body. Brain shunting usually takes around an hour and a half to perform.

Question 3

What Are the Risks of Ventriculo-Peritoneal Shunts?

Accepted Answer

The significant risks of the procedure are bleeding, infection, damage to normal brain tissue, and the need for future operation. The risk of bleeding is immediate and will be detected while the patient is still in the hospital.

Major surgery may be required to prevent brain damage if excessive bleeding occurs. When the shunt is placed, the catheter must pass through normal brain tissue to reach the fluid cavity (ventricle).

The shunt is usually placed in a part of the brain that can tolerate this manipulation, but rarely can patients develop weakness, sensory or visual changes, and speech difficulty.

The risk of infection and obstruction is the most common problem with VPS. The shunt tubing is a foreign object in the body, making it impossible for the body to kill the bacteria growing on the tubing.

If the brain and spine shunt becomes infected, it needs to be removed and replaced with an entirely new system. If an obstruction occurs, only the part of the shunt system that does not work needs to be replaced.

Dr. Baker performs every surgery perfectly, from spine shunting to artificial disk replacement.

Question 4

What Is The Success Rate of Brain Shunting?

Accepted Answer

The success rates depend on the age of the patient and the reason why the shunt is needed. Generally, there is around a 50% failure rate for ventriculoperitoneal shunts. The shunt tubing can become infected or obstructed, requiring surgical revision.

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) is an alternative treatment with a higher success rate but is only available for select patients (see endoscopic third ventriculostomy).

Question 5

How Long Will I Stay in The Hospital?

Accepted Answer

Patients can go home 2-7 days after surgery, depending on the clinical situation.

Brain and Spine Shunting Procedures

Brain And Spinal Tumor Surgery

Artificial Disc Replacement