Endoscopic third ventriculostomy of the adult patient. Results from the application of our protocol

https://doi.org/10.59156/revista.v36i04.609

Abstract

Background. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) is a worldwide accepted technique to treat obstructive hydrocephalus. As per many other techniques to treat hydrocephalus, protocols had improved the overall results and reduced the complications rate. However, there are no protocols written in Spanish literature, that illustrate in detailed a step by step on how to perform and follow up patients with ETV.

The aim of this study is to present the results after the application of our protocol.

Methods. A protocol with surgical technique, management and follow up for ETV in adults was written and a retrospective analysis of several cases was presented.

Results. A detailed protocol was presented. Forty-three patients included in the protocol were analysed after ETV. The success rate of the procedure was 82.43%. There was a statistically significant improvement of a mean 26.22 points (IC 95% 13.77 -36.92) in the Karnofsky scale after the ETV (p=<0.001).

Conclusion: ETV has shown to be a safe and effective procedure to treat obstructive hydrocephalus. The protocolization of the procedure proved a high success rate in our cohort of patients, comparable with the international literature results.