Endoscopic third ventriculostomy - experience in Basrah, Iraq

Endoscope third ventriculostomy [ETV] has gained popularity over recent decades and has become the treatment of choice for certain paediatirc and adult hydrocephalic conditions. This is a review study of 61 patients with hydrocephalus treated by ETV which was successfully completed in 59 patients. Follow-up period ranged from one week to 26 months. Failure was defined by recurrence of symptoms and the need for shunting device which occurred in 3 patients. Those patients requiring shunt were treated within 4 months of the ETV procedure. These results are compared with previously published series of similar procedures