Ventriculo-subgaleal shunts—broadening the horizons: an institutional experience

Ventriculo-subgaleal shunt is an established treatment of hydrocephalus following germinal matrix haemorrhage in low birth weight neonates. It is also used in treatment of post-infective hydrocephalus in children. We intend to emphasise the impact of its extended use in multiple clinical conditions to reduce the number of permanent shunt implantation in infants. Retrospective review of clinical cases in a single institution from medical records. VSG shunts with low-pressure valve system were useful in variety of hydrocephalus in infants (post-haemorrhagic, post-infective, post-myelomeningocele, post-shunt block, post-traumatic, hydrocephalus associated with brain tumours). A significant number of infants especially those with post-haemorrhagic and post-myelomeningocele hydrocephalus could be made free of permanent shunt placement. Ventriculo-subgaleal shunt is an effective, less risky temporary solution of hydrocephalus in infants and can be used in a variety of hydrocephalus in children and helps in avoiding shunt dependency in some of them.