Cerebrospinal fluid shunt operations without cranial bandaging

2009 ◽  
Vol 3 (6) ◽  
pp. 511-515 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ken R. Winston ◽  
Elizabeth Trinidad ◽  
C. Corbett Wilkinson ◽  
Lori A. McBride

Object Cranial bandages are commonly applied over scalp incisions immediately after cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt surgery, putatively to prevent complications, particularly infection. These bandages require resources, consume the time of healthcare workers, and incur non-negligible expenses. It is therefore both reasonable and important to examine the efficacy of cranial bandaging. Methods The combined experience of 3 neurosurgeons over 6.75 years with using no cranial bandaging after operations for implantation or revision of CSF shunts is the basis of this report. These data were prospectively accrued and retrospectively analyzed. Results The infection rate was 4.2% (95% CI 3.1–5.6%) for 1064 operations performed without postoperative cranial bandaging after either shunt insertion or revision surgery through clean or clean-contaminated wounds. The age distribution extended from premature infants through adults 77 years of age. Conclusions The results of this investigation support the position that bandaging scalp wounds after CSF shunt implantation or revision surgery adds no benefit beyond the easier, simpler, faster, and cheaper practice of using antibiotic ointment as a dressing without bandaging.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kashif Ramooz ◽  
Eesha Yaqoob ◽  
Nadeem Akhtar ◽  
Fraz Mehmood ◽  
Saad Javed

ABSTRACTHydrocephalus is routinely treated by surgical procedures. Cerebrospinal fluid shunt placement is a critical therapeutic intervention for hydrocephalus.CSF shunting has multiple complications among which infection is very common. The major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with CSF shunts is theinfection of the central nervous system (CNS).It can lead to prolonged hospital stay, increase the number of operative procedures 03 times more than then none infected cases and has twice the fatality rate. Study of such type of complication will help the patients to improve their health and also improve our sterilization techniques and reduce burden of hospital and patients expenditures. The objective of the study was to determine the frequency of infection after cerebrospinal fluid shunting procedures.Case series study was used as study design.Study was conducted from 10-2010 to 10-06-2011.One hundred and forty four patients with both genders of all age groups undergoing cerebrospinal fluid shunting, meeting inclusion and exclusion criteria, were selected for the present study after informed consent of patient or guardian and approval by the hospital ethical committee. Follow up was ensured by taking the telephonic contact and address of patient.Total no of patients were 144 among which, 89 were males and 55 were females. Age distribution was from 01 month to 75 years with the mean age of 15.280 and standard deviation was ± 20.450. Post-operative infection was present in 20(13.9%) patients.Author’s approvalAll the authors have seen the manuscript and approved it.Declaration of interestNoneConflict/Competing of InterestNone.Disclosure of FundingNone.Ethical ApprovalAttached


2003 ◽  
Vol 98 (3) ◽  
pp. 578-583 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel J. Tomes ◽  
Leslie C. Hellbusch ◽  
L. Russell Alberts

Object. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt system malfunction due to silastic tubing fracture necessitates revision surgery in shunt-dependent individuals. The goal of this study was to examine the mechanical stretching and breaking characteristics of new and used CSF shunt tubing catheters to determine if any inherent physical properties predispose the tubing to fracture. Methods. Fifty-millimeter segments of new and retrieved (used) CSF shunt tubing were stretched to 120 mm in a hydraulic press to determine modulus values (modulus = stress/strain) and to measure permanent tubing deformation imparted by the applied stress and strain. Similar 50-mm tubing segments were also stretched in an electromechanical material testing system until fracture occurred; the force and strain needed to break the tubing was recorded at the time of failure. The results demonstrate that shunt tubing with a greater cross-sectional area requires greater force to fracture, and that catheters become weaker the longer they are implanted. Barium-impregnated shunt tubing, compared with translucent tubing, appears to require less applied stress and strain to break and may fracture more easily in vivo. The variety of modulus values obtained for the new catheters tested indicates that the various companies may be using materials of different quality in tubing manufacture. Conclusions. A CSF shunt catheter design that incorporates tubing with a greater cross-sectional area may lead to fewer fractures of indwelling catheters and a reduction in shunt revision surgery.


2019 ◽  
Vol 162 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefanie Kaestner ◽  
Manuela Poetschke ◽  
Uwe Kehler ◽  
Sebastian Antes ◽  
Matthias Krause ◽  
...  

2010 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 468-473 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Vassilyadi ◽  
Zac L. Tataryn ◽  
Fahad Alkherayf ◽  
Kristin Udjus ◽  
Enrique C. G. Ventureyra

Object This work assessed the value of shunt series in the evaluation of children with CSF shunts, a test that is frequently ordered as part of the assessment of shunt integrity. Methods The medical records of all children who underwent shunt series at Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario between 1975 and 2007 were reviewed. Ancillary studies that were performed within 2 days of the shunt series (brain CT, MR imaging, ultrasonography, and radionuclide shuntography) were noted, as well as the subsequent requirement for a shunt revision. Shunt series and ancillary studies were categorized as either positive (revealing an observable sign that a shunt-related problem was present, such as shunt discontinuity on the shunt series or enlargement of the ventricles on the brain CT scan) or negative (no clear sign of a shunt-related problem). Shunt series were further grouped into shunt series performed for diagnostic reasons, shunt series performed on a routine basis during follow-up in clinic, and shunt series performed postoperatively. The length of time between shunt insertion and shunt fracture was noted. Statistical analyses were performed, including the derivation of sensitivities and specificities. Results There were 3416 shunt series in 394 patients, of which 3004 were performed with ancillary studies. On average, patients underwent 9 shunt series, with a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 43, during the follow-up period (range 3 weeks to 19 years). A total of 2493 shunt series and ancillary studies (83%) yielded negative results and no surgery was performed. One hundred thirty shunts series were negative with a positive ancillary study (4.3%) and no surgery was required. In 8.7% (261 shunt series negative, ancillary studies positive) shunt revision surgery was necessary. The opposite trend was far less prevalent (17 shunt series positive, ancillary test negative; 0.6%) in which surgery was required. There were 87 patients with 96 shunt fractures (2.8% of shunt series). The average time between shunt insertion and shunt fracture was 7.9 years (range 3 months to 18 years). Shunt series had a sensitivity of 18% and a specificity of 97%. The ancillary studies had a sensitivity of 84% and a specificity of 85%. Conclusions The routine utilization of shunt series in the evaluation of a child with a CSF shunt is not necessary. This study showed that a very small number (0.6%) of shunt series helped in surgical decision making. Shunt series can be performed in selected cases, especially preoperatively in the absence of a baseline study to obtain information necessary for surgical planning.


2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 320-326 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomohisa Shimizu ◽  
Mark G. Luciano ◽  
Toru Fukuhara

Object Cerebrospinal fluid shunt infection is distressing, especially in the pediatric population. Usually, infected CSF shunts are removed, and after temporary external CSF drainage, reinsertion of the CSF shunt is necessary. Unfortunately, it is not rare to encounter CSF reinfection after shunt renewal, and furthermore, the reinserted CSF shunt is at a considerable risk of malfunction. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) is a potent option in managing CSF shunt infection, although ETV failure may occur more frequently when it is used to remove an infected shunt. The authors retrospectively evaluated CSF reinfection after using ETV during removal of infected CSF shunts; then the longevity of ETV and of successive reinserted ventriculoperitoneal shunts (VPSs) after ETV failure were also examined. Methods Children with shunted hydrocephalus were retrospectively reviewed, and data on their initial CSF shunt infections were extracted. Thirty-six children underwent VPS reinsertion (the VPS group), and 9 underwent ETV after removal of the infected CSF shunt (the ETV group). As the primary outcome, ETV efficacy against CSF reinfection within 6 months was analyzed by comparing the reinfection rates, and the risk factors for CSF reinfection were analyzed by logistic regression. The longevity of the reinserted shunt in the VPS group was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method, which was compared with ETV longevity as the secondary outcome, and also with the longevity of reinserted VPSs in the ETV group after ETV failure as the tertiary outcome. Results Reinfection of CSF was seen in 27.8% of children in the VPS group. Among 9 children in the ETV group, only 1 (11.1%) had CSF reinfection. However, logistic regression analysis failed to show that performing ETV was a significant factor protecting against CSF reinfection: the significant risk factors were younger age at reinsertion of VPS or ETV (p = 0.037) and a history of shunt revisions (p = 0.011). The longevity of reinserted VPSs in the VPS group was calculated to be 658 ± 166.3 days (mean ± SE). Longevity of ETV was compared in the analysis of the secondary outcome, which was 929.2 ± 511.1 days, and there were no significant differences between these durations. Only 2 ETVs stayed patent, and a VPS was eventually implanted in the other 7 children. The longevity of this reinserted VPS in the ETV group, calculated based on these 7 children, was 2011.1 ± 540.7 days, which was confirmed to be longer than that in the VPS group (p = 0.031). Conclusions Although the protective effect of using ETV during removal of an infected CSF shunt on reinfection is marginal, the ETV longevity can be considered equivalent to that of reinserted VPSs. Even if ETV failure occurs, the reinserted VPS has significantly better longevity than a VPS reinserted without using ETV, and use of ETV during infected CSF shunt removal can be considered a potent alternative or at least an adjunct to VPS reinsertion.


2007 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel M. Sciubba ◽  
Li-Mei Lin ◽  
Graeme F. Woodworth ◽  
Matthew J. McGirt ◽  
Benjamin Carson ◽  
...  

Object Antibiotic-impregnated shunt (AIS) systems may decrease the incidence of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt infections. However, there is a reluctance to use AIS components because of their increased cost. In the present study the authors evaluated factors contributing to the medical costs associated with the treatment of CSF shunt infections in a hydrocephalic pediatric population, those implanted with AIS systems compared with those implanted with standard shunt systems. Methods The authors retrospectively reviewed data obtained in all pediatric patients who had undergone CSF shunt insertion at their institution over a 3-year period. All patients were followed up for 12 months after surgery. The independent association between AIS catheter use and subsequent shunt infection was assessed by performing a multivariate proportional hazards regression analysis. Factors contributing to the medical costs associated with shunt infection were evaluated. Results Two hundred eleven pediatric patients underwent 353 shunting procedures. Two hundred eight shunts (59%) were placed with nonimpregnated catheters and 145 shunts (41%) were placed with AIS catheters. Twenty-five patients (12%) with non-AIS catheters experienced shunt infection, whereas only two patients (1.4%) with AIS catheters had a shunt infection within the 6-month follow-up period (p < 0.01). Among infected patients, infected patients with standard shunt components had a longer average hospital stay, more inpatient complications related to infection treatment, and more multiple organism infections and multiple antibiotic regimens, compared with those with AIS components. Conclusions Although individual AIS components are more expensive than standard ones, factors contributing to medical costs are fewer in pediatric patients with infected shunts when the components are antibiotic-impregnated rather than standard.


1988 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 648-650 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gershon Keren ◽  
Tal Geva ◽  
Bianca Bogokovsky ◽  
Ethan Rubinstein

✓ The clinical and laboratory findings in two cases of aerobic Corynebacterium Group JK infection of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunts are described. These organisms have occasionally been reported as a cause of serious infections in man but have not been reported as a cause of shunt infection. In both cases, CSF pleocytosis was limited to 20 or 60 cells with variable protein and sugar values. Fever was a constant finding, frequently accompanied by signs of central nervous system dysfunction. Corynebacterium Group JK organisms are common contaminants of the normal skin flora. When isolated from the blood and/or the CSF of a patient with a CSF shunt who has symptoms and signs compatible with infection, the organism should not be dismissed as a contaminant. A significant feature of this group is its resistance to almost all presently available antibiotics including penicillin, the cephalosporins, and the aminoglycosides. These organisms are, however, sensitive to vancomycin.


Neurosurgery ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 242-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
James M. Drake ◽  
Christian Sainte-Rose ◽  
Marcia DaSilva ◽  
Hirsch Jean-François

Abstract Fifty-five children had 64 external ventricular drains (EVDs) placed predominantly (95%) for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt infections. In 9 children, a computer monitoring system measured the CSF output each second continuously for up to 24 hours. The monitoring was repeated daily for up to 9 days. The state of arousal of the patients was recorded simultaneously. In all children, daily EVD outputs were related to age, sex, weight, method of establishing the EVD, height of the drip chamber, time since insertion, and type of infecting organism. Computer monitoring revealed wide fluctuations in flow rate, with peak rates frequently &gt;20 ml/h and periods of flow arrest. These changes were usually associated with increased arousal, but also occurred with sleep. The mean EVD flow rate for all children was 6.3 ml/h. EVD output increased with age and weight. EVD output decreased with Gram-negative or multiple-organism infections and with elevation of the drip chamber. Resolution of the infection, sex of the patient, and method of establishing the EVD had no effect on output. These results predict that CSF production increases with brain growth in humans; that CSF production is depressed by Gram-negative and multiple-organism infections; that implanted CSF shunts with standard valves flow at equivalent rates to an EVD in the supine position; and that the CSF drainage requirements in this group are approximately equal to their EVD outputs.


1997 ◽  
Vol 87 (2) ◽  
pp. 247-251 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger Bayston ◽  
Emma Lambert

✓ This study determined the protective effect of antibacterial processing of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt catheters against infection with staphylococci, which is an important complication following CSF shunt placement for hydrocephalus. Also examined is the effect of a conditioning film such as that seen on the luminal surface of shunts used in posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus. Conventional preventative measures, including antimicrobial prophylaxis, confer a temporary or unproven benefit. The authors have therefore developed a process for impregnation of CSF shunts with rifampicin and clindamycin, and this has been shown previously to achieve the target duration of 28 days of protective activity in vitro. The present study demonstrates the limit of the period of protection and the efficacy of the processing against a wide range of staphylococci, particularly in the presence of a plasma protein conditioning film. Five strains of Staphylococcus aureus and 17 coagulase-negative staphylococci, all clinical isolates, were inoculated into the shunts at 2-week intervals until failure of antimicrobial protection occurred. The results showed that the process protected against all strains for between 42 and 56 days and that the conditioning film did not diminish the protection. Catheters processed by this method show promise of significant reductions in the incidence of CSF shunt infections.


2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. ar.2015.6.0129
Author(s):  
Bharat A. Panuganti ◽  
Matthew Leach ◽  
Jastin Antisdel

Background Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea and encephaloceles are rare complications of craniofacial advancement procedures performed in patients with craniofacial dysostoses (CD) to address the ramifications of their midface hypoplasia including obstructed nasal airway, exorbitism, and impaired mastication. Surgical repair of this CSF rhinorrhea is complicated by occult elevations in intracranial pressure (ICP), potentially necessitating open, transcranial repair. We report the first case in otolaryngology literature of a patient with Crouzon syndrome with late CSF rhinorrhea and encephalocele formation after previous LeFort III facial advancement surgery. Objectives Describe the case of a patient with Crouzon syndrome who presented with CSF rhinorrhea and encephaloceles as complications of Le Fort III facial advancement surgery. Review the literature pertaining to the incidence and management of post-operative CSF rhinorrhea and encephaloceles. Analyze issues related to repair of these complications, including occult elevations in ICP, the utility of perioperative CSF shunts, and the importance of considering alternative repair schemes to the traditional endonasal, endoscopic approach. Methods Review of the literature describing CSF rhinorrhea and encephalocele formation following facial advancement in CD, focusing on management strategies. Results CSF rhinorrhea and encephalocele formation are rare complications of craniofacial advancement procedures. Occult elevations in ICP complicate the prospect of permanent surgical repair, potentially necessitating transcranial repair and the use of CSF shunts. Though no consensus exists regarding the utility of perioperative CSF drains, strong associations exist between elevated ICP and failed surgical repair. Additionally, the anatomic changes in the frontal and ethmoid sinuses after facial advancement present a challenge to endoscopic repair. Conclusion Otolaryngologists should be aware of the possibility of occult elevations in ICP and sinonasal anatomic abnormalities when repairing CSF rhinorrhea in patients with CD. Clinicians should consider CSF shunt placement and carefully weigh the advantages of the transcranial approach versus endonasal, endoscopic techniques.


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