ISSN:
1433-0350
Keywords:
Periventricular-intraventricular hemorrhage
;
Posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus
;
Low birth weight
;
Subcutaneous ventricular reservoir
;
Ventriculoperitoneal shunt
;
External ventricular drain
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract In order to assess the complication rates of cerebrospinal fluid diversion techniques used at our institution, a retrospective study of the surgical management of posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus was conducted from a population of 547 premature infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit from 1987 to 1989. The incidences of periventricular-intraventricular hemorrhage in the 3 years studied were 44%, 37%, and 27%, respectively. Thirty-nine of the infants developed posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus as determined by serial cranial ultrasonography; 22 required cerebrospinal fluid diversion. During the study period, we began using subcutaneous ventricular reservoirs and a low-pressure Neonatal Shunt (customized device) in infants weighing less than 1500 g at the time of instrumentation. This change in management was associated with a significant reduction (P〈0.005) in the morbidity and mortality compared to the use of external ventricular drainage devices. On the basis of these findings, the use of external ventricular drainage devices was discontinued.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00262844
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