Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy (ETV)

About the Surgery

What is a Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy (ETV)?

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy is an alternative surgical procedure that creates a bypass for the cerebrospinal fluid in the head that eliminates the need for a shunt.The goal of an ETV is to bypass the obstruction causing the hydrocephalus by diverting it through the floor of the third ventricle.

Day of the Surgery

Your surgical team will be with you every step of the way
You will be in the ICU after your surgery

After the Surgery

Home Care

Incision Care

Wash incision daily with shampoo and water ( application of antibiotic ointment not necessary unless instructed by Neurosurgery team)
You may scrub incision lightly to help prevent scab formation
No beach/pool ( 1st month after surgery) or until cleared by Neurosurgery
Avoid direct sunlight on incision ( May wear a cap or hat to go outside)
Do not scratch incision

Activity

Keep activity level back to normal or light until you are seen in clinic
May return to school after second week post-surgery, unless not cleared by Neurosurgery
No participation in Physical Education for 1 month or until cleared by Neurosurgery

Pain control

You may take over the counter medications, which include:
- Acetaminophen every 4 hours or Motrin every 6 hours if needed
- These medications can be alternating

Follow-up Office Visit

You will be seen in Neurosurgery office approximately 10-14 days after leaving the hospital for symptom evaluation and suture removal, if sutures are not dissolvable

When to call the office

Fever greater than 101.5°F oral or axillary
Increased swelling, redness, or oozing from incision area
Signs of increased intracranial pressure:
- Infants: Fontanel full and tense on infant who is upright and quiet, poor feeding, episodes of spitting up or vomiting, increased sleeping, eyes always looking down, or irritability
- Children: persistent headache not relieved with pain medication, often associated with nausea/vomiting, changes in alertness

*These symptoms requires immediate attention as it can potentially lead to a coma. Return to emergency room during off hours and unable to communicate with office*

Resources

Questions or Concerns?
Call us @ 305-662-8386

This page was last updated on: January 29, 2019 03:21 PM