Endoscopic 3rd Ventriculostomy (ETV)

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Recently neuroendoscopy (telescopic surgery) makes treatment of Hydrocephalus possible without shunting in two thirds of patients (the success rate depends on the etiology (cause of) the Hydrocephalus and varies between one quarter to nearly one hundred percent). Management of Hydrocephalus by "Third Ventriculostomy" creates a natural bypass within the brain allowing the fluid to drain. This is a procedure that does not have the complications of shunt insertion. Infection is rare and the morbidity is very low. This low morbidity operation is a valid treatment for Hydrocephalus in the difficult conditions of developing countries where follow-up is inconsistent and retrieval of patients in case of complications is near to impossible.

Re-inventing the wheel or Third Ventriculostomy: Dr. M. Vloeberghs explains the background and use of Third Ventriculostomy in the treatment of hydrocephalus.

ETV - initial experience at the CURE Children's Hopsital of Uganda: Dr. B. Warf, cooperating with IF in the project in Mbale (Uganda) made a research on his initial experiences with Third Ventriculostomy in developing countries.