Endoscopy as an adjunct to shunting for hydrocephalus.

A procedure has been developed for positioning ventricular catheters using a miniature fiberoptic endoscope. The procedure permits accurate positioning of the ventricular catheter tip without the need for intraoperative X-ray studies. The procedure has been employed 102 times in 85 children. In each case, post-operative X-ray studies revealed the ventricular catheter to be in a satisfactory position. In 79% of cases a functional shunt was established which did not require revision or further therapeutic intervention.