A new technique for accurate placing of the tip of the atrial catheter in ventriculo-atrial shunt operations for hydrocephalus.

A new method for accurate positioning of the tip of the atrial catheter in the middle of the right atrium in ventriculoatrial shunt operations is described. The correct length of the catheter is obtained from a consideration of the surface anatomy of the heart in each patient. The position of the tip of the catheter was checked by postoperative chest radiographs in postero-anterior and lateral views. The technique was used in 50 cases of hydrocephalus in which ventriculoatrial shunts were performed. The approach is simple and reliable, and is useful not only for elective operations but also in emergency situations where specialized monitoring equipment is not readily available.