Frequency of hydrocephalus in postoperative cases of myelomeningocele. Need of ventriculoperitoneal shunt?

ABSTRACT

To assess the frequency of hydrocephalus in postoperative cases of myelomeningocele and the need of ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement. Descriptive study CMH Rawalpindi from Sep 2008 to Nov 2009. Forty patients of either sex with myelomeningocele were included. These patients did not have hydrocephalus at the time of presentation. They were operated upon for myelomeningocele. Postoperative follow up was carried out at 1, 2 and 3 months to look for the development of hydrocephalus. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 17. Out of forty patients 22 [55%] were males and 18 [45%] were females. The age ranged from newborn to 10 months. Thirty five [87.5%] patients had lumbosacral myelomeningocele, 2 [5%] patients thoracic, 2[5%] patients cervical while one patient [2.5%] presented with both cervical and lumbosacral myelomeningocele. Postoperatively 21 [52.5%] patients developed hydrocephalus which were subsequently confirmed on CT scan head and were then subjected to ventriculoperitoneal shunting. High frequency of hydrocephalus was observed in postoperative cases of myelomeningocele and patients presenting with one entity must be looked for the other. Postoperative cases of myelomeningocele should be regularly followed for the evidence of hydrocephalus