Outcomes of Endoscopic third ventriculostomy compared with shunt insertion in the treatment of childhood hydrocephalus in Mofid Hospital using the ETV Success Score between 2008 and 2010

There is limited information about the therapeutic results in patients with hydrocephalus in the country; however, it is important to know the results of Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) in these patients compared to shunt investment. Thus, the research was conducted on admitted patients with hydrocephalus during 2008 to 2010.

This was a cross sectional study. The therapeutic results were calculated using ETVSS (ETV Success Score) for all patients diagnosed with hydrocephalus and had undergone surgery. Survival rate of patients with shunt or ETV were analyzed with the Kaplan-Meier method.

During the two year study, 96 patients were found eligible. Patients aged from 3 days to 14 years (mean: 2.4±3.33) and had at least six months of follow-up. ETV survival rate was greater than shunt in ETVSS≥80 (100% versus 40%; P=0.02). The more the ETVSS, the survival of patients treated with ETV is more than shunt investment. ‍

It seems that ETV technique is more successful in patients with higher ETVSS. We recommend further research in this regard.