An analysis of factors determining the requirement of ventriculoperitoneal shunt surgery in the children suffering from posterior fossa tumour: a single centre retrospective review

Authors

  • Mrinal Bhuyan Department of Neurosurgery, Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, Guwahati, Assam
  • Debadatta Saha Department of Neurosurgery, Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, Guwahati, Assam
  • Basanta Kumar Baishya Department of Neurosurgery, Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, Guwahati, Assam

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2349-2902.isj20201013

Keywords:

External ventricular drain, Hydrocephalus, Posterior fossa tumour, Ventriculoperitoneal shunt

Abstract

Background: Hydrocephalus is a relatively common occurrence in a children suffering from the posterior fossa tumour (PFTm). However, there is a divided opinion regarding the ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) surgery before the posterior fossa tumour resection in a child. For the better clinical outcome, we should be able to predict which patient will require VPS following the resection of PFTm. Purpose of our retrospective analysis is to analyse various factors that predicts the necessity of VPS following PFTm resection.

Methods: A consecutive series of twenty-six patients who underwent PFTm resection without undergoing VPS preoperatively are analysed in our series.

Results: In our series, we found that the younger age at presentation, incomplete tumour resection, longer period of artificial ventilatory support, insertion of external ventricular drain (EVD) and its duration during the postoperative period correlate the necessity of VPS following PFTm resection. However, the severity of hydrocephalus prior to tumor surgery, tumour size, anatomical location of the tumour, tumour dissemination, use of Dural grafts during closure and histopathological type do not predict the requirement of the VPS following PFTm.

Conclusions: Patients who are younger at diagnosis should be treated with utmost importance. Gross total resection should be the goal. Factors which predict the likelihood of the EVD which parallels the likelihood of postresection hydrocephalus must be prevented for the better clinical outcome.

Author Biographies

Mrinal Bhuyan, Department of Neurosurgery, Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, Guwahati, Assam

Professor

Dept of Neurosurgery

Gauhati Medical College and Hospital

Debadatta Saha, Department of Neurosurgery, Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, Guwahati, Assam

senior Resident

Dept of Neurosurgery

Gauhati Medical College and Hospital

Basanta Kumar Baishya, Department of Neurosurgery, Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, Guwahati, Assam

Professor

Dept of Neurosurgery

Gauhati Medical College and Hospital

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Published

2020-03-26

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Original Research Articles