Calgary Shunt Protocol, an adaptation of the Hydrocephalus Clinical Research Network shunt protocol, reduces shunt infections in children.

OBJECTIVEThe shunt protocol developed by the Hydrocephalus Clinical Research Network (HCRN) was shown to significantly reduce shunt infections in children. However, its effectiveness had not been validated in a non-HCRN, small- to medium-volume pediatric neurosurgery center. The present study evaluated whether the 9-step Calgary Shunt Protocol, closely adapted from the HCRN shunt protocol, reduced shunt infections in children.METHODSThe Calgary Shunt Protocol was prospectively applied at Alberta Children's Hospital from May 23, 2013, to all children undergoing any shunt procedure. The control cohort consisted of children undergoing shunt surgery between January 1, 2009, and the implementation of the Calgary Shunt Protocol. The primary outcome was the strict HCRN definition of shunt infection. Univariate analyses of the protocol, individual elements within, and known confounders were performed using Student t-test for measured variables and chi-square tests for categorical variables. Multivariable logistic regression was performed using stepwise analysis.RESULTSTwo-hundred sixty-eight shunt procedures were performed. The median age of patients was 14 months (IQR 3-61), and 148 (55.2%) were male. There was a significant absolute risk reduction of 10.0% (95% CI 3.9%-15.9%) in shunt infections (12.7% vs 2.7%, p = 0.004) after implementation of the Calgary Shunt Protocol. In univariate analyses, chlorhexidine was associated with fewer shunt infections than iodine-based skin preparation solution (4.1% vs 12.3%, p = 0.02). Waiting ≥ 20 minutes between receiving preoperative antibiotics and skin incision was also associated with a reduction in shunt infection (4.5% vs 14.2%, p = 0.007). In the multivariable analysis, only the overall protocol independently reduced shunt infections (OR 0.19 [95% CI 0.06-0.67], p = 0.009), while age, etiology, procedure type, ventricular catheter type, skin preparation solution, and time from preoperative antibiotics to skin incision were not significant.CONCLUSIONSThis study externally validates the published HCRN protocol for reducing shunt infection in an independent, non-HCRN, and small- to medium-volume pediatric neurosurgery setting. Implementation of the Calgary Shunt Protocol independently reduced shunt infection risk. Chlorhexidine skin preparation and waiting ≥ 20 minutes between administration of preoperative antibiotic and skin incision may have contributed to the protocol's quality improvement success.

Long-Term Neurodevelopmental and Growth Outcomes of Premature Infants Born at <29 week Gestational Age with Post-Hemorrhagic Hydrocephalus Treated with Ventriculo-Peritoneal Shunt.

OBJECTIVE: To compare long-term neurodevelopmental and growth (NDG) outcomes at 3 y corrected gestational age (GA) in premature infants with grade ≥ III intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus who were treated with ventriculo-peritoneal shunt with those who were not treated with shunt. METHODS: In a retrospective cohort study, NDG outcomes were compared between preterm infants of <29 wk GA with IVH treated with shunt (IVHS) and IVH with no shunt (IVHNS). This was a single centre study. The primary outcome was moderate to severe cerebral palsy (CP). RESULTS: Of 1762 preterm infants who survived to discharge, 90 had grade ≥ III IVH. Infants in IVHS group had more grade IV IVH than IVHNS (p < 0.05). Seventy percent of the patients in IVHNS groups had no hydrocephalus. IVHS group had increased CP (76% vs. 30%; p 0.003), and higher odds of CP after controlling for GA and IVH grade [odds ratio (OR); 4.23 (1.38 to 13.00)]. Growth delay was not different between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Infants with IVHS are at increased risk of CP but not growth delay.

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy to treat hydrocephalus associated with macrocephaly-cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita.

Macrocephaly-cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita is a rare overgrowth syndrome commonly associated with hydrocephalus. Although the pathophysiological characteristics of the hydrocephalus in this syndrome is not fully known, previous reports have described its treatment with ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement. The authors describe 2 cases of macrocephaly-cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita successfully treated for progressive hydrocephalus with endoscopic third ventriculostomy. Both patients experienced clinical and radiographic stabilization following treatment, and these findings offer insight into the pathophysiology of the hydrocephalus and its ideal management.

A pediatric experience with endoscopic third ventriculostomy for hydrocephalus.

Pediatric neuroscience nurses deal with many children with hydrocephalus. This paper will provide a review of hydrocephalus with a specific focus on third ventriculostomy. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) is an accepted treatment option for patients with obstructive hydrocephalus. At the Alberta Children's Hospital in Calgary, Alberta, we have been performing ETV for 15 years. This experience has helped us better understand the complications and benefits of ETV. The author will provide data on the complications specific to ETV in pediatric patients at the Alberta Children's Hospital. A case report comparing neurocognitive testing before and after ETV will be shared. An additional case report of a patient with a spontaneous third ventriculostomy will help illustrate our understanding of the natural history of hydrocephalus.

Management of a locked Strata valve.

The PS Medical Strata valve is a programmable shunt valve used in the treatment of hydrocephalus that allows for noninvasive changes in the pressure setting using a magnet. The Strata valve is sensitive to magnetic fields, and reprogramming is frequently necessary after MR imaging. A known but rare complication of the Strata valve is that the rotor can become locked, causing shunt malfunction. This complication can only occur in a first generation Strata valve.