Repeat endoscopic third ventriculostomy: is it worth trying?

The goal of this study was to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and indications for repeat endoscopic third ventriculostomies (ETV).

We reviewed the records of 20 patients who had undergone repeat ETV from 1987 to 1999. Their ages ranged from 8 months to 53 years (mean 17 years). The primary etiologies of hydrocephalus were: primary aqueductal stenosis (9 cases), tumor (5), Chiari malformation (2), prior infection (2), prior intraventricular hemorrhage (1), and blocked foramen of Monro (1 patient). The interval between the first and second ETVs ranged from 8 days to almost 6 years (mean 12.8 months). The intraoperative findings at repeat surgery were: occlusion of the primary orifice by scar (10 cases), virginal floor of the third ventricle (5 cases), pinhole ventriculostomy (3 cases), incompletely penetrated membrane (1 case), and blood clot occluding the orifice (1 case). The follow-up period ranged from 3 to 47 months (median 20 months). Repeat ETV was successful in 13 patients (65%). These patients did not require further shunting or other procedures during follow-up. Seven patients (35%) required placement of a shunt after repeat ETV. Several complications were observed in 1 patient (5%), including seizures, elevated ICP, bilateral pulmonary edema, and cardiac arrhythmia. This patient ultimately recovered fully; the ETV was successful, and the patient did not require a shunt.

Based on the experience of this group of patients, repeat ETV is as effective and as safe as a primary ETV procedure, and should be attempted in selected patients.