Hydrocephalus Surgical Treatment

Hydrocephalus is a disturbance of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) circulation. Hydrocephalus occurs when the delicate balance of CSF production and absorption is disrupted, and it builds up in the brain. The build-up of CSF usually causes the brain to swell thus the pressure increases in skull which results in nerve damage. However it should be noted that hydrocephalus treatment is available to help people with hydrocephalus, including children, live happy, productive, and fulfilling lives.

The most common form of the disease is called Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH). As with most forms of hydrocephalus, NPH can usually be successfully treated with a surgical shunt. Shunts are used to draw excess cerebrospinal fluid away from the brain and into another area of the body where it can be absorbed. This procedure can be performed on children and is effective in treating hydrocephalus. However a shunt is a lifetime commitment, and it may need to be replaced every now and then. Generally, patients with an implanted shunt system are not restricted in their daily activities except those which require great physical exertion.

When you wake up after shunt surgery, expect to feel weak and tired. This is natural as your body starts to heal. Nurses will be there to help you, and they will want you to get up and start moving as soon as possible after the surgery to help encourage the recovery process. As you get better, you will be allowed to do more things like eating solid foods and getting up to use the bathroom. You will be discharged from the hospital as soon as your neurosurgeon feels you are ready, usually in a day or two after surgery. When you get home from the hospital you will still need to rest. While recuperating you should try to build up your strength which can take a few weeks. The neurosurgeon who operated on you will be happy let you know when it is okay to return to all of your usual activities.