Clinical Experience with the Programmable Valve for Hydrocephalus Patients

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study is to establish the value of the programmable valve system. METHODS: The authors conducted a single center retrospective study of 41 consecutive patients who had undergone ventriculoperitoneal shunt with programmable valve for hydrocephalus of various etiology from March 1999 to February 2002. RESULTS: In 10 patients(24%), valve pressure adjustment was required at least 3 times or more for the reason of underdrainage or overdrainage. The range of pressure reprogramming was 10 to 120mmH2O. The clinical symptoms improved in 37 patients(90%). The radiologic improvement was obtained in 88%. Shunt was minimally functioning in 3 cases without any clinical effect at the pressure of 30mmH2O. CONCLUSION: The programmable valve has been particularly useful in changing ventricular size for the correction of overdrainage or underdranage by the easy control of valve pressure without any invasive procedure. The authors' preference is to use the programmable valve system for all conditions.