BACKGROUND: This retrospective study was designed to evaluate whether patients with hydrocephalus associated with central nervous system (CNS) anomalies, compared with patients with hydrocephalus and absent CNS anomalies, present with significantly higher rate of postoperative complications, including more serious clinical presentation, increased life threat, and higher postoperative or late mortality rate. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study using medical records of 100 patients of pediatric and adolescent age (0-18 years) between 2004 and 2010 treated with operative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt placement. RESULTS: In both groups of patients, there were 43 postoperative complications, including 12 mechanical obstructions of the CSF drainage systems, 13 disconnections, 11 dislocations of proximal catheter, 6 inflammatory complications (meningitis), and 1 latex allergy. Patients with hydrocephalus associated with CNS anomalies were presented with statistically higher rate of postoperative complications (U = 303.5, z = -3.27, p = 0.001), higher number of operations, at least one complication more per patient, more complicated clinical course, higher life threat, and higher late mortality rate. CONCLUSIONS: After installing the CSF drain system, children and adolescents with hydrocephalus associated with anomalies of the CNS require regular and careful follow-up.
BACKGROUND: This retrospective study was designed to evaluate whether patients with hydrocephalus associated with central nervous system (CNS) anomalies, compared with patients with hydrocephalus and absent CNS anomalies, present with significantly higher rate of postoperative complications, including more serious clinical presentation, increased life threat, and higher postoperative or late mortality rate. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study using medical records of 100 patients of pediatric and adolescent age (0-18 years) between 2004 and 2010 treated with operative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt placement. RESULTS: In both groups of patients, there were 43 postoperative complications, including 12 mechanical obstructions of the CSF drainage systems, 13 disconnections, 11 dislocations of proximal catheter, 6 inflammatory complications (meningitis), and 1 latex allergy. Patients with hydrocephalus associated with CNS anomalies were presented with statistically higher rate of postoperative complications (U = 303.5, z = -3.27, p = 0.001), higher number of operations, at least one complication more per patient, more complicated clinical course, higher life threat, and higher late mortality rate. CONCLUSIONS: After installing the CSF drain system, children and adolescents with hydrocephalus associated with anomalies of the CNS require regular and careful follow-up.
Authors: Alfredo Avellaneda Fernández; Alberto Isla Guerrero; Maravillas Izquierdo Martínez; María Eugenia Amado Vázquez; Javier Barrón Fernández; Ester Chesa i Octavio; Javier De la Cruz Labrado; Mercedes Escribano Silva; Marta Fernández de Gamboa Fernández de Araoz; Rocío García-Ramos; Miguel García Ribes; Carmen Gómez; Joaquín Insausti Valdivia; Ramón Navarro Valbuena; José R Ramón Journal: BMC Musculoskelet Disord Date: 2009-12-17 Impact factor: 2.362