2021 Volume 30 Issue 6 Pages 432-437
The goal for the treatment of pediatric hydrocephalus is to achieve normal growth and development, and the surgical indications and procedures should be selected for the long future of children. Although the guidelines on the treatment of pediatric hydrocephalus was published in 2014, the only recommended treatments with evidence were the use of preoperative antibiotics and antibiotic-impregnated catheters (AIC). The guideline was updated on the following two points in 2020. The evidence level of AIC was upgraded from 3 to 1, and neuroendoscopic lavage has been added as a level 3 option for the treatment of posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus. There were no revisions about endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV), which is considered to be an equivalent therapeutic option to ventriculo-peritoneal shunt, even though the indication of ETV has been extended. Pediatric hydrocephalus is a field with little evidence, however it is important to select the optimal treatment for each patients and perform safe surgery without complications or reoperations considering the pathology of their underlying disease and age.
