Repeated endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV). Role of advanced instruments for performing this minimally invasive surgery

Abstract

This series of studies presents the results of repeated endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) in patients with occlusive hydrocephalus. 33 cases of repeated ETV were considered as a material for the study: 7 adult patients aged 18 years and older (19 % (3 men, 4 women)) and 26 children aged 0 to 17 years (81 % (15 boys, 11 girls)). The average period of clinical observation after the surgery was 42,3 ± 2,7 months. 21 patients (64 %) had the effect from the surgery, they became shunt-independent. 23 repeated endoscopic third ventriculostomy were performed using standard rigid endoscopes (Gaab, Lotta, Little Lotta Endoscopes), the other 10 surgeries were performed using miniature semi-rigid needle endoscope. There were no postoperative neurological, endocrine and infectious complications in the studied group.