Clinical experience with the low pressure Novus valve in the treatment of adult hydrocephalus.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The low pressure Novus valve is a pressure differential valve with a normally open siphon control mechanism. This study evaluates our experience with this valve in adult hydrocephalus and is the first published clinical review of the Novus valve. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From June 1999, we prospectively inserted low pressure Novus valves in all patients requiring new ventriculoperitoneal and ventriculoatrial shunts and requiring shunt valve revision. In December 2000, 52 patients were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: The major causes of hydrocephalus were intracranial haemorrhage (18), tumour (10), normal pressure hydrocephalus (10) and trauma (9). Forty one procedures were first shunts and eleven were revisions. The Novus valve was revised once. Complications include one infection and one sudden death from cerebral haemorrhage. No patients developed overdrainage symptoms or subdural haematomas. There were large improvements in symptoms. Ninety-three percent of the patients reported an improvement in daily function and quality of life. The remaining 7% reported no change, despite improvements in symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The Novus low pressure valve is an effective first choice of valve for adult hydrocephalus.