How successful is shunt surgery for NPH?

About 30 percent to 50 percent of patients with idiopathic NPH (no known cause) improve after receiving a shunt. About 50 percent to 70 percent of patients with secondary NPH (related to another brain disorder) improve with a shunt. The shunt is implanted into one of the ventricles of the brain.

What is the NPH procedure?

How is normal pressure hydrocephalus treated? A commonly used treatment for NPH is surgery to place a tube, called a shunt, into the brain to drain the excess fluid. The shunt is usually inserted into a ventricle in the brain and then passed under your skin from your head through your neck and chest to your abdomen.

What is NPH with VP shunt?

Permanent cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diversion with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) is a treatment option for patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH).

What are the stages of NPH?

Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH) is a cause of progressive dementia that includes three primary symptoms: (1) progressive cognitive impairment, (2) gait and balance difficulties, and (3) urinary frequency and/or incontinence.

How Serious Is shunt surgery?

A shunt blockage can be very serious as it can lead to an build-up of excess fluid in the brain, which can cause brain damage. This will cause the symptoms of hydrocephalus. Emergency surgery will be needed to replace the malfunctioning shunt.

How long does NPH surgery take?

The surgery requires general anesthesia, and usually takes 30 minutes to one hour.

How long is hospital stay for shunt surgery?

The actual surgical procedure to implant a shunt typically requires about an hour in the operating room. Afterward, you will be carefully observed for 24 hours. Your stay in the hospital will generally be for two to four days total.

Can I live a normal life with a brain shunt?

Overview. Many people with normal pressure hydrocephalus enjoy a normal life with the help of a shunt. Regular, ongoing checkups with the neurosurgeon will help ensure that your shunt is working correctly, your progress is on track, and you are free to keep living the way you want.