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AIMS: To provide long-term outcome data after treatment of hydrocephalus in children, and to identify risk factors for ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) failure. METHODS: Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) and VPS procedures in children between 2001 and 2005 were reviewed. Data collected prospectively included age at surgery, sex, aetiology of hydrocephalus, gestational age, emergency/planned surgery, duration of surgery, time of day, surgeon's experience and other concomitant surgery. The mean follow-up was 4.7 years (min. 2 years). The endpoint was a new surgery due to failure of treatment, and the time to failure was noted. Risk factors for VPS failure were analysed by univariate Cox proportional hazards regression. RESULTS: Ninety-eight patients were included, 76 with a VPS, 22 with an ETV. Fifty-five percent of ETV and 58% of VPS failed. Significant risk factors (p 50% of patients after ETV and VPS. Prematurity and concomitant surgery were major risk factors for VPS failure.
Appelgren et al. (Fri,) studied this question.