Brain Shunt
A brain shunt is a narrow piece of tubing that is inserted into the brain in the fluid-filled ventricle. The tubing is then passed under the skin into another area of the body, most often into the abdomen. Occasionally, the shunt tubing can be placed into one of the chambers of the heart or the lining of the lungs. The shunt tubing relieves pressure on the brain, a condition known as hydrocephalus, by draining the extra fluid in the brain ventricle(s) to a different area of the body where it can be absorbed more quickly.
Types of brain shunts
The type of brain shunt a patient receives is dependent on their symptoms and specific diagnosis. Talk with your doctor about the exact shunt he or she will use during surgery.
Ventriculo-peritoneal
The shunt catheter goes from the ventricle in the brain to the abdominal cavity.
Ventriculo-pleural
The shunt catheter goes from the ventricle in the brain to the pleural space located outside the lung.
Ventriculo-atrial
The shunt catheter goes from the ventricle in the brain into the right atrium cavity of the heart.
Programmable
These shunts have special valves that can be adjusted to allow more or less fluid to drain.
Fixed pressure
These shunts have valves that drain at a set rate, either low, medium, or high.
About your shunt surgery
For most shunt surgeries, patients are given general anesthesia to put them to sleep. A breathing tube may also be inserted to assist your lungs throughout the procedure.
Patients are placed on a special operating room bed that allows for optimal access to the head, gives room for the surgeon to work, and helps to reduce the potential for blood loss.
Your surgeon will make an incision in your scalp. A small hole will then be made in the skull. Your surgeon will then place the catheter into the ventricle. The other end of the catheter will be tunneled under your skin into your abdomen, chest or heart, depending on where your neurosurgeon has decided.
Brain shunt hospital recovery time
Your brain shunt recovery time in the hospital depends on the reason for the shunt and what type was inserted. Also, patients may experience difficulty with walking, talking, balance and strength after surgery. Most patients who have a shunt inserted will go home the day after surgery, but your surgeon will decide when you are ready for discharge.
If you require rehabilitation before going home, a physical medicine and rehabilitation doctor will see you and make specific recommendations regarding your discharge.
You need to be able to walk, eat, and urinate, and your surgical wound must be healing well.
Brain shunt recovery at home
- Continue to gradually increase your activity. Walking within and outside the home is encouraged.
- Avoid lifting and strenuous activity.
- You are not allowed to drive a car. Your doctor will give you specific instructions about driving on discharge or when you follow-up in the office. You can ride as a passenger in a car as directed.
- Sexual activity may resume when indicated by your doctor.
- Remember to call and schedule your follow-up appointment with your doctor once you are at home.
- If you have a programmable shunt, it will have to reset each time you have an MRI.
- You may shower, but avoid bathtubs, whirlpools, and swimming pools until cleared with your doctor.
- If you have steri-strips (strips of tape), cover your incision as directed by your doctor. You or a companion may remove the strips as directed. If your strips get wet, you may pat them dry or use a hair dryer on cool setting.
- If you have staples, you may wash your hair but do not scrub over the incision.
- Do not apply lotions or creams near the incision site. No hair dying/perming until cleared by your doctor.
Contact your doctor immediately if:
- You have swelling on around the incision.
- The incision becomes red and hot or has drainage.
- You have difficulty breathing or chest pain.
- You have fever of 100° or higher.
- You have double or blurred vision.
- You have a seizure.
- You have vomiting or nausea.
- You get severe headaches.
- You have a change in level of consciousness.
Need deeper understanding?
Speak with a specialist to learn more or get a second opinion to confirm a diagnosis or to validate treatment.