Research Information System
Child's nervous system : ChNS : official journal of the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery, vol.42, no.1, pp.81, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of a newly designed ventriculosubgaleal (VSG) shunt in the treatment of hydrocephalus in low birth weight premature infants and assess its potential advantages over currently available options. METHODS: A novel VSG shunt model was developed to address the limitations of existing shunt systems. Twelve rabbits were used: two as controls, five with induced hydrocephalus, and five treated with the VSG shunt. Hydrocephalus was induced, and shunt placement was performed using neuronavigation. Intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring and cranial computed tomography were conducted. Postmortem pathological examinations of the brain were carried out to assess the outcomes. RESULTS: The VSG shunt group showed effective cerebrospinal fluid diversion with fewer complications. ICP monitoring confirmed pressure reduction, and imaging supported appropriate shunt function. Pathological analysis indicated reduced brain damage in the shunt group compared to the untreated hydrocephalus group. CONCLUSIONS: The novel VSG shunt offers a promising alternative for managing hydrocephalus in premature infants. It may reduce surgical time, minimize complications, and lower healthcare costs by overcoming the limitations of current shunt designs.