Outcome analysis of endoscopic III ventriculostomy

A retrospective chart review was performed on 54 patients who had undergone endoscopic III ventriculostomy (E3V) in the past 6 years. Patient charts w ere reviewed to establish age at the time of operation, sex, preoperative d iagnosis, preoperative shunt procedures, success or failure of the E3V, dur ation of success, and complications. Success of an E3V was determined by th e resolution of preoperative symptoms and avoidance of a CSF shunt. The mos t recent clinic visit with adequate documentation of signs and symptoms of hydrocephalus was used as the last date of follow-up. The overall success r ate was 74%. Children over the age of 3 years with an acquired CSF obstruct ion had a significantly greater probability of successful treatment (P=0.05 ). Younger children, especially those with hydrocephalus attributable to ob struction of the arachnoid villi, as in intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), were less likely to benefit from E3V.