[Ventriculo-peritoneal cerebrospinal fluid drainage in the treatment of hydrocephalus]

From January 1980 to December 1984 67 patients with hydrocephalus were treated with v-p shunts at the University Hospital, Berne. 61.2% had obstructive hydrocephalus and 38.3% communicating hydrocephalus. They were followed up for 2 to 6 years. Apart from clinical examination, computerized tomography was the single most important procedure for diagnostic purposes as well as for follow-up. This was not true in the case of communicating hydrocephali treated with an antisiphon device. 8 patients had serious early complications, with two fatal cases. There were not late complications. 90% of the clinical symptoms were improved or cured. V-p shunt is a technically simple and clinically effective operation, but in view of a complication rate of 12% the indication requires critical assessment.