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Pediatric postoperative neurosurgical care is an essential component of a child's treatment pathway. It is important to better understand how neurosurgeons in lower middle-income countries (LMICs) have been able to address socioeconomic and systemic factors to improve their patients' access to quality pediatric postoperative neurosurgical care. We aim to characterize the pediatric neurosurgical postoperative system in place in Zambia and to discuss how these efforts have been implemented to improve outcomes and address socioeconomic barriers to accessing health care.We acquired a patient list of 90 tenants of House of Hope (HOH)-an out-of-hospital center caring for children awaiting surgery, as well as those recovering from surgery. Of the patient list, 44 patients qualified for our study. Survey responses and occurrence of demographic and clinical characteristics were calculated. Non-normally distributed variables (age) were reported by median and interquartile range (IQR). Dichotomous variables were presented as percentages. Fisher's Exact test was applied to compare categorical data and hospital re-admission. A P-value of0.05 was considered significant.Our study demonstrates two key findings: (1) low 30-day hospital re-admission rate of 9% and (2) favorable postoperative experience by patient families. Of the 44 patients, a majority were 1-year-old children (n = 31, 70%) and female (n = 24, 55%) (IQR 1-2 years). Presenting conditions included: hydrocephalus only (n = 35, 80%), hydrocephalus and myelomeningocele (n = 5, 11%), myelomeningocele only (n = 2, 5%), cerebral palsy (n = 1, 2%), and encephalocele (n = 1, 2%). Half (n = 22, 50%) of the patients lived in east Zambia, 8 (18%) lived in central, 8 (18%) in north, 5 (11%) in south, and 1 (2%) in west Zambia.We report the first qualitative and quantitative analysis of postoperative care for LMIC pediatric neurosurgical patients in the academic literature. Quality, patient-centered postoperative pediatric neurosurgical care that is rooted in addressing socioeconomic determinants of health produces good outcomes in LMICs.

Management of infants with OEIS complex is challenging and not standardized. Expeditious surgery after birth has been recommended to limit soilage of the urinary tract and optimize intestinal function. However, clinical instability secondary to comorbidities is common in this population and early operation carries risk. We sought to define the risk/benefit profile of delaying repair. All newborn patients with OEIS managed by our institution between Sep 2017 and Oct 2019 were reviewed. Comorbidities were evaluated, including cardiopulmonary pathologies and associated malformations. Ten patients with OEIS were managed. Patients underwent early (2 patients, repair at 0–2 days) or delayed (6 patients, repair at 6–87 days) first-stage exstrophy repair. Two patients died prior to repair (progressive respiratory failure, severe genetic anomalies). Repairs were delayed secondary to cardiac conditions, neurosurgical interventions, medical disease, and/or delayed transfer. Delayed repair patients had longer lengths of stay and use of parenteral nutrition. No patients experienced urinary tract infections prior to repair. Delaying first-stage exstrophy repair to allow physiologic optimization is safe. All repaired patients were discharged home, without parenteral nutrition or supplemental oxygen.

Background Hyperplasia of the choroid plexus represents a rare cause of communicating hydrocephalus in children. Recent work has associated such disease with genetic abnormalities (such as perturbations in chromosome 9). Given such extensive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) overproduction, patients with choroid plexus hyperplasia often fail CSF diversion and therefore require adjuvant interventions. Case Description We present the case of a male infant with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt and radiographic choroid hyperplasia who presented to our institution with a massive abdominal hydrocele caused by an inability to absorb the significant amount of CSF drainage into the abdomen. Conclusion The child was treated with an endoscopic third ventriculostomy and choroid plexus coagulation; however, he still required CSF diversion via a ventriculoatrial shunt. A genetic workup showed tetraploidy of chromosome 9. We discuss criteria for selection of treatment strategies, including endoscopic third ventriculostomy with choroid plexus coagulation and/or CSF diversion, that may prevent the need for re-operation in select patients with hydrocephalus due to choroid plexus hyperplasia.

OBJECTIVE This study investigated the incidence of postoperative subdural collections in a cohort of African infants with postinfectious hydrocephalus. The authors sought to identify preoperative factors associated with increased risk of development of subdural collections and to characterize associations between subdural collections and postoperative outcomes. METHODS The study was a post hoc analysis of a randomized controlled trial at a single center in Mbale, Uganda, involving infants (age < 180 days) with postinfectious hydrocephalus randomized to receive either an endoscopic third ventriculostomy plus choroid plexus cauterization or a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. Patients underwent assessment with the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition (Bayley-III; sometimes referred to as BSID-III) and CT scans preoperatively and then at 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively. Volumes of brain, CSF, and subdural fluid were calculated, and z-scores from the median were determined from normative curves for CSF accumulation and brain growth. Linear and logistic regression models were used to characterize the association between preoperative CSF volume and the postoperative presence and size of subdural collection 6 and 12 months after surgery. Linear regression and smoothing spline ANOVA were used to describe the relationship between subdural fluid volume and cognitive scores. Causal mediation analysis distinguished between the direct and indirect effects of the presence of a subdural collection on cognitive scores. RESULTS Subdural collections were more common in shunt-treated patients and those with larger preoperative CSF volumes. Subdural fluid volumes were linearly related to preoperative CSF volumes. In terms of outcomes, the Bayley-III cognitive score was linearly related to subdural fluid volume. The distribution of cognitive scores was significantly different for patients with and those without subdural collections from 11 to 24 months of age. The presence of a subdural collection was associated with lower cognitive scores and smaller brain volume 12 months after surgery. Causal mediation analysis demonstrated evidence supporting both a direct (76%) and indirect (24%) effect (through brain volume) of subdural collections on cognitive scores. CONCLUSIONS Larger preoperative CSF volume and shunt surgery were found to be risk factors for postoperative subdural collection. The size and presence of a subdural collection were negatively associated with cognitive outcomes and brain volume 12 months after surgery. These results have suggested that preoperative CSF volumes could be used for risk stratification for treatment decision-making and that future clinical trials of alternative shunt technologies to reduce overdrainage should be considered.

OBJECTIVEDespite significant advances in diagnostic and surgical techniques, the surgical management of Chiari malformation type I (CM-I) with associated syringomyelia remains controversial, and the type of surgery performed is surgeon dependent. This study’s goal was to determine the feasibility of a prospective, multicenter, cohort study for CM-I/syringomyelia patients and to provide pilot data that compare posterior fossa decompression and duraplasty (PFDD) with and without tonsillar reduction.METHODSParticipating centers prospectively enrolled children suffering from both CM-I and syringomyelia who were scheduled to undergo surgical decompression. Clinical data were entered into a database preoperatively and at 1–2 weeks, 3–6 months, and 1 year postoperatively. MR images were evaluated by 3 independent, blinded teams of neurosurgeons and neuroradiologists. The primary endpoint was improvement or resolution of the syrinx.RESULTSEight clinical sites were chosen based on the results of a published questionnaire intended to remove geographic and surgeon bias. Data from 68 patients were analyzed after exclusions, and complete clinical and imaging records were obtained for 55 and 58 individuals, respectively. There was strong agreement among the 3 radiology teams, and there was no difference in patient demographics among sites, surgeons, or surgery types. Tonsillar reduction was not associated with > 50% syrinx improvement (RR = 1.22, p = 0.39) or any syrinx improvement (RR = 1.00, p = 0.99). There were no surgical complications.CONCLUSIONSThis study demonstrated the feasibility of a prospective, multicenter surgical trial in CM-I/syringomyelia and provides pilot data indicating no discernible difference in 1-year outcomes between PFDD with and without tonsillar reduction, with power calculations for larger future studies. In addition, the study revealed important technical factors to consider when setting up future trials. The long-term sequelae of tonsillar reduction have not been addressed and would be an important consideration in future investigations.

BACKGROUND: There are currently no published data directly comparing postoperative seizure incidence following endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV), with/without choroid plexus cauterization (CPC), to that for ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) placement. OBJECTIVE: To compare postoperative epilepsy incidence for ETV/CPC and VPS in Ugandan infants treated for postinfectious hydrocephalus (PIH). METHODS: We performed an exploratory post hoc analysis of a randomized trial comparing VPS and ETV/CPC in 100 infants (

OBJECTIVEWorldwide disparities in the provision of surgical care result in otherwise preventable disability and death. There is a growing need to quantify the global burden of neurosurgical disease specifically, and the workforce necessary to meet this demand.METHODSResults from a multinational collaborative effort to describe the global neurosurgical burden were aggregated and summarized. First, country registries, third-party modeled data, and meta-analyzed published data were combined to generate incidence and volume figures for 10 common neurosurgical conditions. Next, a global mapping survey was performed to identify the number and location of neurosurgeons in each country. Finally, a practitioner survey was conducted to quantify the proportion of disease requiring surgery, as well as the median number of neurosurgical cases per annum. The neurosurgical case deficit was calculated as the difference between the volume of essential neurosurgical cases and the existing neurosurgical workforce capacity.RESULTSEvery year, an estimated 22.6 million patients suffer from neurological disorders or injuries that warrant the expertise of a neurosurgeon, of whom 13.8 million require surgery. Traumatic brain injury, stroke-related conditions, tumors, hydrocephalus, and epilepsy constitute the majority of essential neurosurgical care worldwide. Approximately 23,300 additional neurosurgeons are needed to address more than 5 million essential neurosurgical cases—all in low- and middle-income countries—that go unmet each year. There exists a gross disparity in the allocation of the surgical workforce, leaving large geographic treatment gaps, particularly in Africa and Southeast Asia.CONCLUSIONSEach year, more than 5 million individuals suffering from treatable neurosurgical conditions will never undergo therapeutic surgical intervention. Populations in Africa and Southeast Asia, where the proportion of neurosurgeons to neurosurgical disease is critically low, are especially at risk. Increasing access to essential neurosurgical care in low- and middle-income countries via neurosurgical workforce expansion as part of surgical system strengthening is necessary to prevent severe disability and death for millions with neurological disease.

Pediatric hydrocephalus is a well-studied and still incompletely understood entity. One of the physiological means by which hydrocephalus and intracranial hypertension evolve is through perturbations to normal vascular dynamics. Here the authors report a unique case of an extracranial vascular anomaly resulting in persistently elevated intracranial pressures (ICPs) independent of CSF diversion in a patient with a Joubert syndrome–related disorder. The patient developed worsening intracranial hypertension after successful CSF diversion of Dandy-Walker malformation–associated hydrocephalus via endoscopic third ventriculostomy–choroid plexus cauterization (ETV/CPC). Vascular workup and imaging revealed an extracranial arteriovenous fistula of the superficial temporal artery at the site of a prior scalp intravenous catheter. Following microsurgical obliteration of the lesion, ICP normalized from > 30 cm H2O preoperatively to 11 cm H2O postoperatively. A repeat lumbar puncture at 4 months postoperatively again demonstrated normal pressure, and the patient remained asymptomatic for 9 months. Recurrent symptoms at 9 months were attributed to inadequate CSF diversion, and the patient underwent ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement. This is the first report of an extracranial-to-extracranial vascular anastomosis resulting in intracranial hypertension. This case report demonstrates the need to consider extracranial vascular anomalies as potential sources of persistently elevated ICP in the syndromic pediatric population.

OBJECTIVE Postoperative routine imaging is common after pediatric ventricular shunt revision, but the benefit of scanning in the absence of symptoms is questionable. In this study, the authors aimed to assess how often routine scanning results in a change in clinical management after shunt revision. METHODS The records of a large, tertiary pediatric hospital were retrospectively reviewed for all consecutive cases of pediatric shunt revision between July 2013 and July 2018. Postoperative imaging was classified as routine (i.e., in the absence of symptoms, complications, or other direct indications) or nonroutine. Reinterventions within 30 days were assessed in these groups. RESULTS Of 387 included shunt revisions performed in 232 patients, postoperative imaging was performed in 297 (77%), which was routine in 244 (63%) and nonroutine in 53 (14%). Ninety revisions (23%) underwent any shunt-related procedure after postoperative imaging, including shunt reprogramming (n = 35, 9%), shunt tap (n = 10, 3%), and a return to the operating room (OR; n = 58, 15%). Of the 244 cases receiving routine imaging, 241 did not undergo a change in clinical management solely based on routine imaging findings. The remaining 3 cases returned to the OR, accounting for 0.8% (95% CI 0.0%–1.7%) of all cases or 1.2% (95% CI 0.0%–2.6%) of cases that received routine imaging. Furthermore, 27 of 244 patients in this group returned to the OR for other reasons, namely complications (n = 12) or recurrent symptoms (n = 15); all arose after initial routine imaging. CONCLUSIONS The authors found a low yield to routine imaging after pediatric shunt revision, with only 0.8% of cases undergoing a change in management based on routine imaging findings without corresponding clinical findings. Moreover, routine imaging without abnormal findings was no guarantee of an uneventful postoperative course. Clinical monitoring can be considered as an alternative in asymptomatic, uncomplicated patients.

Objective To evaluate the presence, extent, and temporality of transnational neurosurgical partnerships, to understand and inform measures to address neurosurgical deficiencies in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Methods A Web search was conducted to identify actors from high-income countries (HICs) participating in neurosurgical delivery and/or capacity-building with LMICs from 2010 to 2018. Descriptive data on current neurosurgical partnerships were collected from published case reports, literature reviews, reports from academic institutions, and information on stakeholder Web pages. The level of training and engagement of each partnership was separately graded based on prespecified criteria, in which grade 3 represented partnerships that have most extensive training and engagement, and grade 1, the least extent. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and geospatially depicted on ArcMap GIS software. Results A total of 123 unique HIC–LMIC partnerships were described. Of these partnerships, 85 (69%) are derived from HICs in North America, followed by Europe, with 23 (19%). The most common LMIC partners were from Africa (n = 56, 45%) and Latin America (n = 32, 26%). In addition, most partnerships provided services in pediatric neurosurgery (88%). The most frequent engagement classifications were grade 2 (35%) or 1 (36%). Similarly, for training, the most common classifications were grade 1 (40%) or 2 (30%). Conclusions A robust network of HIC–LMIC partnerships exists with varying degrees of engagement and training activities. Several regions are particularly suitable for growth and development. Systematic consolidation and indexing of transnational neurosurgical partnerships aim to enhance resource allocation and present opportunities for future partnership.

OBJECTIVEEndoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV)/choroid plexus cauterization (CPC) has become an increasingly common technique for the treatment of infant hydrocephalus. Both flexible and rigid neuroendoscopy can be used, with little empirical evidence directly comparing the two. Therefore, the authors used a propensity score–matched cohort and survival analysis to assess the comparative efficacy of flexible and rigid neuroendoscopy.METHODSIndividual data were collected through retrospective review of infants younger than 2 years of age, treated at 1 of 2 hospitals: 1) Boston Children's Hospital, exclusively utilizing flexible neuroendoscopy, and 2) Nicklaus Children's Hospital-Jackson Memorial Hospital, exclusively utilizing rigid neuroendoscopy. Patient characteristics and postoperative outcomes were assessed. A propensity score model was developed to balance patient characteristics in the case mix.RESULTSA propensity score model for neuroendoscope type was developed with 5 independent variables: chronological age, sex, hydrocephalus etiology, prior CSF diversion, and prepontine scarring. Propensity score decile-adjusted and 1-to-1 nearest-neighbor matching analysis revealed that compared with flexible neuroendoscopy, rigid neuroendoscopy had an ETV/CPC failure odds ratio (OR) of 1.43 (p = 0.31) and 1.31 (p = 0.47), respectively, compared with an unadjusted OR of 2.40 (p = 0.034). Furthermore, in a Cox regression analysis controlled by propensity score, rigid neuroendoscopy had a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.10 (p = 0.70), compared with an unadjusted HR of 1.61 (p = 0.031).CONCLUSIONSAlthough unadjusted analysis suggested worse ETV/CPC outcomes for infants treated by rigid neuroendoscopy, much of the difference could be attributed to the case mix and other predictors of outcome. A larger sample observational study or randomized controlled trials are required to provide evidence-based guidelines on ETV/CPC technique.

Neurosurgery in Uganda was virtually non-existent up until late 1960s. This changed when Dr. Jovan Kiryabwire spearheaded development of a neurosurgical unit at Mulago Hospital in Kampala. His work ethic and vision set the stage for rapid expansion of neurosurgical care in Uganda.At the beginning of the 2000s, Uganda was a country of nearly 30 million people, but had only 4 neurosurgeons. Neurosurgery's progress was plagued by challenges faced by many developing countries, such as difficulty retaining specialists, lack of modern hospital resources, and scarce training facilities. To combat these challenges 2 distinct programs were launched: 1 by Dr. Benjamin Warf in collaboration with CURE International, and the other by Dr. Michael Haglund from Duke University. Dr. Warf's program focused on establishing a facility for pediatric neurosurgery. Dr. Haglund's program to increase neurosurgical capacity was founded on a "4 T's Paradigm": Technology, Twinning, Training, and Top-Down. Embedded within this paradigm was the notion that Uganda needed to train its own people to become neurosurgeons, and thus Duke helped establish the country's first neurosurgery residency training program.Efforts from overseas, including the tireless work of Dr. Benjamin Warf, have saved thousands of children's lives. The influx of the Duke Program caused a dynamic shift at Mulago Hospital with dramatic effects, as evidenced by the substantial increase in neurosurgical capacity. The future looks bright for neurosurgery in Uganda and it all traces back to a rural village where 1 man had a vision to help the people of his country.

OBJECTIVE. Children with surgically treated hydrocephalus commonly undergo multiple neuroimaging studies. The purpose of this article is to share an experience with use of the as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA) principle to guide the imaging approach to these patients. CONCLUSION. A reasonably achievable strategy for minimizing ionizing radiation in patients with surgically treated hydrocephalus includes rapid-sequence MRI and judicious use of dose-optimized head CT. Rapid-sequence MRI is particularly useful in the care of patients who have undergone endoscopic third ventriculostomy.

OBJECTIVEThe presence and capability of existing pediatric neurosurgical care worldwide is unknown. The objective of this study was to solicit the expertise of specialists to quantify the geographic representation of pediatric neurosurgeons, access to specialist care, and equipment and training needs globally.METHODSA mixed-question survey was sent to surgeon members of several international neurosurgical and general pediatric surgical societies via a web-based platform. Respondents answered questions on 5 categories: surgeon demographics and training, hospital and practice details, surgical workforce and access to neurosurgical care, training and equipment needs, and desire for international collaboration. Responses were anonymized and analyzed using Stata software.RESULTSA total of 459 surgeons from 76 countries responded. Pediatric neurosurgeons in high-income and upper-middle-income countries underwent formal pediatric training at a greater rate than surgeons in low- and lower-middle-income countries (89.5% vs 54.4%). There are an estimated 2297 pediatric neurosurgeons in practice globally, with 85.6% operating in high-income and upper-middle-income countries. In low- and lower-middle-income countries, roughly 330 pediatric neurosurgeons care for a total child population of 1.2 billion. In low-income countries in Africa, the density of pediatric neurosurgeons is roughly 1 per 30 million children. A higher proportion of patients in low- and lower-middle-income countries must travel > 2 hours to seek emergency neurosurgical care, relative to high-income countries (75.6% vs 33.6%, p < 0.001). Vast basic and essential training and equipment needs exist, particularly low- and lower-middle-income countries within Africa, South America, the Eastern Mediterranean, and South-East Asia. Eighty-nine percent of respondents demonstrated an interest in international collaboration for the purposes of pediatric neurosurgical capacity building.CONCLUSIONSWide disparity in the access to pediatric neurosurgical care exists globally. In low- and lower-middle-income countries, wherein there exists the greatest burden of pediatric neurosurgical disease, there is a grossly insufficient presence of capable providers and equipped facilities. Neurosurgeons across income groups and geographic regions share a desire for collaboration and partnership.

Background While a noninvasive flow determination would be desirable in the diagnosis of cerebrospinal fluid shunt malfunction, existing studies have not yet defined a role for thermal flow detection. Objective To evaluate a revised test protocol using a micropumper designed to transiently enhance flow during thermal testing to determine whether thermal detection of flow is associated with progression to shunt revision surgery. Methods Eighty-two unique tests were performed in 71 shunts. The primary outcome, need for revision within 7 d of testing, was compared with results of micropumper-augmented thermal flow detection. Statistical analysis was based on blind interpretation of test results and raw temperature data recorded during testing. Results The test was sensitive (73%) and specific (68%) in predicting need for revision, with 5.6-fold higher probability of revision when flow was not detected. Negative predictive value in our sample was 94.2%. The probability of not requiring revision increased with increasing total temperature drop. Analysis of various possible thresholds showed that the optimal temperature cutoff may be lower than suggested by the manufacturer (0.125°C vs 0.2°C). Conclusion This is the first study to report a strong association between thermal flow evaluation and a clinical impression that a shunt is not malfunctioning. The current recommended threshold may increase the false positive rate unnecessarily, and as clinicians gain experience with the method, they may find value in examining the temperature curves themselves. Multicenter studies are suggested to further define a role for this diagnostic test.

After decades on the margins of primary health care, surgical and anaesthesia care is gaining increasing priority within the global development arena. The 2015 publications of the Disease Control Priorities third edition on Essential Surgery and the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery created a compelling evidenced-based argument for the fundamental role of surgery and anaesthesia within cost-effective health systems strengthening global strategy. The launch of the Global Alliance for Surgical, Obstetric, Trauma, and Anaesthesia Care in 2015 has further coordinated efforts to build priority for surgical care and anaesthesia. These combined efforts culminated in the approval of a World Health Assembly resolution recognizing the role of surgical care and anaesthesia as part of universal health coverage. Momentum gained from these milestones highlights the need to identify consensus goals, targets and indicators to guide policy implementation and track progress at the national level. Through an open consultative process that incorporated input from stakeholders from around the globe, a global target calling for safe surgical and anaesthesia care for 80% of the world by 2030 was proposed. In order to achieve this target, we also propose 15 consensus indicators that build on existing surgical systems metrics and expand the ability to prioritize surgical systems strengthening around the world.

OBJECTIVE Pediatric hydrocephalus is one of the most common neurosurgical conditions and is a major contributor to the global burden of surgically treatable diseases. Significant health disparities exist for the treatment of hydrocephalus in developing nations due to a combination of medical, environmental, and socioeconomic factors. This review aims to provide the international neurosurgery community with an overview of the current challenges and future directions of neurosurgical care for children with hydrocephalus in low-income countries. METHODS The authors conducted a literature review around the topic of pediatric hydrocephalus in the context of global surgery, the unique challenges to creating access to care in low-income countries, and current international efforts to address the problem. RESULTS Developing countries face the greatest burden of pediatric hydrocephalus due to high birth rates and greater risk of neonatal infections. This burden is related to more general global health challenges, including malnutrition, infectious diseases, maternal and perinatal risk factors, and education gaps. Unique challenges pertaining to the treatment of hydrocephalus in the developing world include a preponderance of postinfectious hydrocephalus, limited resources, and restricted access to neurosurgical care. In the 21st century, several organizations have established programs that provide hydrocephalus treatment and neurosurgical training in Africa, Central and South America, Haiti, and Southeast Asia. These international efforts have employed various models to achieve the goals of providing safe, sustainable, and cost-effective treatment. CONCLUSIONS Broader commitment from the pediatric neurosurgery community, increased funding, public education, surgeon training, and ongoing surgical innovation will be needed to meaningfully address the global burden of untreated hydrocephalus.

Object It is not known whether previous endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) affects the risk of shunt failure. Different epochs of hydrocephalus treatment at the CURE Children's Hospital of Uganda (CCHU)—initially placing CSF shunts in all patients, then attempting ETV in all patients, and finally attempting ETV combined with choroid plexus cauterization (CPC) in all patients—provided the opportunity to assess whether prior endoscopic surgery affected shunt survival. Methods With appropriate institutional approvals, the authors reviewed the CCHU clinical database to identify 2329 patients treated for hydrocephalus from December 2000 to May 2007. Initial ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt placement was performed in 900 patients under one of three circumstances: 1) primary nonselective VP shunt placement with no endoscopy (255 patients); 2) VP shunt placement at the time of abandoned ETV attempt (with or without CPC) (370 patients); 3) VP shunt placement subsequent to a completed but failed ETV (with or without CPC) (275 patients). We analyzed time to shunt failure using the Kaplan-Meier method to construct survival curves, Cox proportional hazards regression modeling, and risk-adjusted analyses to account for possible confounding differences among these groups. Results Shunt failure occurred in 299 patients, and the mean duration of follow-up for the remaining 601 was 28.7 months (median 18.8, interquartile range 4.1–46.3). There was no significant difference in operative mortality (p = 0.07 by log-rank and p = 0.14 by Cox regression adjusted for age and hydrocephalus etiology) or shunt infection (p = 0.94, log-rank) among the 3 groups. There was no difference in shunt survival between patients treated with primary shunt placement and those who underwent shunt placement at the time of an abandoned ETV attempt (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.14, 95% CI 0.86–1.51, p = 0.35). Those who underwent shunt placement after a completed but failed ETV (with or without CPC) had a lower risk of shunt failure (p = 0.008, log-rank), with a hazard ratio (adjusted for age at shunting and etiology) of 0.72 (95% CI 0.53–0.98), p = 0.03, compared with those who underwent primary shunt placement without endoscopy; but this was observed only in patients with postinfectious hydrocephalus (PIH) (adjusted HR 0.55, 95% CI 0.36–0.85, p = 0.007), and no effect was apparent for hydrocephalus of noninfectious etiologies (adjusted HR 0.98, 95% CI 0.64–1.50, p = 0.92). Improved shunt survival after failed ETV in the PIH group may be an artifact of selection arising from the inherent heterogeneity of ventricular damage within that group, or a consequence of the timing of shunt placement. The anticipated benefit of CPC in preventing future ventricular catheter obstruction was not observed. Conclusions A paradigm for infant hydrocephalus involving intention to treat by ETV with or without CPC had no adverse effect on mortality or on subsequent shunt survival or infection risk. This study failed to demonstrate a positive effect of prior ETV or CPC on shunt survival.

Dysplastic structural lesions within the fourth ventricle have been reported in patients with Chiari malformation Type II (CM-II). The authors report the unique case of a 22-year-old patient with myelomeningocele who presented with progressive pain, decreasing hand function, and lower cranial nerve dysfunction in the context of a slowly enlarging intramedullary mass at the cervicomedullary junction. At surgery a multinodular mass attached to caudally displaced fourth ventricle choroid plexus was completely removed from an expanded central canal. The histopathological findings were consistent with dysplastic-reactive choroid plexus. Postoperatively the patient experienced relief of pain and improvement in hand strength. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case in which dysplastic fourth ventricle choroid plexus was displaced caudally through the obex to become an intramedullary lesion at the cervicomedullary junction. Its subsequent slow enlargement with progressive neurological deficits may have been secondary to reactive inflammatory changes. For patients with myelomeningocele and CM-II, intramedullary dysplastic-reactive choroid plexus should be included in the differential diagnosis of mass lesions in this location.

Object Hydrocephalus is one of the most common brain disorders in children throughout the world. The majority of infant hydrocephalus cases in East Africa appear to be postinfectious, related to preceding neonatal infections, and are thus preventable if the microbial origins and routes of infection can be characterized. In prior microbiological work, the authors noted evidence of seasonality in postinfectious hydrocephalus (PIH) cases. Methods The geographical address of 696 consecutive children with PIH who were treated over 6 years was fused with satellite rainfall data for the same time period. A comprehensive time series and spatiotemporal analysis of cases and rainfall was performed. Results Four infection-onset peaks were found to straddle the twice-yearly rainy season peaks, demonstrating that the infections occurred at intermediate levels of rainfall. Conclusions The findings in this study reveal a previously unknown link between climate and a neurosurgical condition. Satellite-derived rainfall dynamics are an important factor in driving the infections that lead to PIH. Given prior microbial analysis, these findings point to the importance of environmental factors with respect to preventing the newborn infections that lead to PIH.

Object The authors have previously reported on the overall improved efficacy of endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) combined with choroid plexus cauterization (CPC) for infants younger than 1 year of age. In the present study they specifically examined the long-term efficacy of ETV with or without CPC in 35 infants with congenital aqueduct stenosis treated at CURE Children's Hospital of Uganda during the years 2001–2006. Methods Infants with congenital aqueductal stenosis were treated during 2 distinct treatment epochs: all underwent ETV alone, and subsequently all underwent ETV-CPC. Prospectively collected data in the clinical database were reviewed for all infants with an age < 1 year who had been treated for hydrocephalus due to congenital aqueductal stenosis. Study exclusion criteria included: 1) a history or findings on imaging or at the time of ventriculoscopy that suggested a possible infectious cause of the hydrocephalus, including scarred choroid plexus; 2) an open aqueduct or an aqueduct obstructed by a membrane or cyst rather than by stenosis; 3) severe malformations of the cerebral hemispheres including hydranencephaly, significant segments of undeveloped brain, or schizencephaly; 4) myelomeningocele, encephalocele, Dandy-Walker complex, or tumor; or 5) previous shunt insertion. The time to treatment failure was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method to construct survival curves. Log-rank (Mantel-Cox) and Gehan-Breslow-Wilcoxon tests were used to determine whether differences between the 2 treatment groups were significant. Results Thirty-five patients met the study criteria. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy alone was performed in 12 patients (mean age 4.7 months), and combined ETV-CPC was performed in 23 patients (mean age 3.5 months). For patients without treatment failure, the mean and median follow-ups were, respectively, 51.6 and 48.0 months in the ETV group and 31.2 and 26.4 months in the ETV-CPC group. Treatment was successful in 48.6% of the patients who underwent ETV alone, as accurately predicted by the Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy Success Score (ETVSS), and in 81.9% of the patients who underwent ETV-CPC (p = 0.0119, log-rank test; p = 0.0041, Gehan-Breslow-Wilcoxon test; HR 6.42 [95% CI 1.51–27.36]). Conclusions Combined ETV-CPC is significantly superior to ETV alone for infants younger than 1 year of age with congenital aqueductal stenosis. The fact that the outcome for ETV alone was accurately predicted by the ETVSS suggests that these results are applicable in developed countries.

Object Neonatal infection is the most common cause of infant hydrocephalus in Uganda. Postinfectious hydrocephalus (PIH) is often accompanied by primary brain injury from the original infection. Since 2001, ETV (with or without choroid plexus cauterization) has been our primary treatment for PIH. The long-term outcome in these children is unknown. Methods We studied the 5-year outcome in a cohort of 149 infants treated for PIH from 2001 to 2005 and who lived in 4 districts close to the hospital. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Statistical significance was determined using the Fisher, Breslow, and log-rank tests. Results The patients' mean age at presentation was 9.5 months (median 3.0 months). Eighty-four patients (56.4%) were successfully treated without a shunt. Operative mortality was 1.2% for ETV and 4.4% for shunt placement (p = 0.3). Five-year survival was 72.8% in the non–shunt-treated group and 67.6% in the shunt-treated group, with no difference in survival (log rank p = 0.43, Breslow p = 0.46). Of 43 survivors assessed at 5–11 years, those with shunts had significantly worse functional outcomes (p = 0.003–0.035), probably reflecting treatment selection bias since those with the worst sequelae of ventriculitis were more likely to be treated with shunt placement. Conclusions Nearly one-third of treated infants died within 5 years, and at least one-third of the survivors were severely disabled. There was no survival advantage for non–shunt-treated patients at 5 years. A randomized trial of endoscopic third ventriculostomy versus shunt placement for treating PIH may be indicated. Public health measures that prevent these infections are urgently needed.

Object Dandy-Walker complex (DWC) is a continuum of congenital anomalies comprising Dandy-Walker malformation (DWM), Dandy-Walker variant (DWV), Blake pouch cyst, and mega cisterna magna (MCM). Hydrocephalus is variably associated with each of these, and DWC-associated hydrocephalus has mostly been treated by shunting, often with 2-compartment shunting. There are few reports of management by endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV). This study is the largest series of DWC or DWM-associated hydrocephalus treated by ETV, and the first report of treatment by combined ETV and choroid plexus cauterization (ETV/CPC) in young infants with this association. Methods A retrospective review of the CURE Children's Hospital of Uganda clinical database between 2004 and 2010 identified 45 patients with DWC confirmed by CT scanning (25 with DWM, 17 with DWV, and 3 with MCM) who were treated for hydrocephalus by ETV/CPC. Three were excluded because of other potential causes of hydrocephalus (2 postinfectious and 1 posthemorrhagic). Results The median age at treatment was 5 months (88% of patients were younger than 12 months). There was a 2.4:1 male predominance among patients with DWV. An ETV/CPC (ETV only in one) was successful with no further operations in 74% (mean and median follow-up 24.2 and 20 months, respectively [range 6–65 months]). The rate of success was 74% for DWM, 73% for DWV, and 100% for MCM; 95% had an open aqueduct, and none required posterior fossa shunting. Conclusions Endoscopic treatment of DWC-associated hydrocephalus should be strongly considered as the primary management in place of the historical standard of creating shunt dependence.

There is inadequate pediatric neurosurgical training to meet the growing burden of disease in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Subspecialty expertise in the management of hydrocephalus and spina bifida—two of the most common pediatric neurosurgical conditions—offers a high-yield opportunity to mitigate morbidity and avoid unnecessary death. The CURE Hydrocephalus and Spina Bifida (CHSB) fellowship offers an intensive subspecialty training program designed to equip surgeons from LMIC with the state-of-the-art surgical skills and equipment to most effectively manage common neurosurgical conditions of childhood. Prospective fellows and their home institution undergo a comprehensive evaluation before being accepted for the 8-week training period held at CURE Children’s Hospital of Uganda (CCHU) in Mbale, Uganda. The fellowship combines anatomy review, treatment paradigms, a flexible endoscopic simulation lab, daily ward and ICU rounds, radiology rounds, and clinic exposure. The cornerstone of the fellowship is the unique operative experience that includes a high volume of endoscopic third ventriculostomy with choroid plexus cauterization, myelomeningocele closure, and ventriculoperitoneal shunting, among many other procedures performed at CCHU. Upon completion, fellows return to their home institution to establish or rejuvenate a robust pediatric practice as part of a worldwide network of CHSB trainees committed to the care of underserved children. To date, the fellowship has graduated 33 surgeons from 20 different LMIC who are independently performing thousands of hydrocephalus and spina bifida operations each year.

The burden of infant hydrocephalus in East Africa is significant, with more than 6000 new cases estimated per year. The majority is caused by neonatal infection, and should thus be preventable. With about 1 neurosurgeon per 10,000,000 people in East Africa, initial treatment for hydrocephalus is often unavailable. This also renders shunt dependence more dangerous in East Africa than in the developed world. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy combined with choroid plexus cauterization (ETV/CPC) has proven effective in avoiding shunt dependence in the majority of infants. Unlike shunts, most failures of endoscopic treatment are evident in the early months after surgery, with later failures being rare. Easily accessible clinical parameters can be used to predict the likelihood of success in a given patient. There appears to be no developmental advantage to shunt dependence compared to treatment by ETV/CPC. Cooperative efforts such as the East African Neurosurgical Research Collaboration are needed to broaden the scope of research and training needed to significantly reduce the morbidity and mortality of this disease.

Object In the setting of a developing country where preoperative imaging may be limited, the authors wished to determine whether cisternal scarring or aqueduct patency at the time of surgery was sufficiently predictive of the failure of endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) to justify shunt placement at the time of the initial operation. Methods The status of the prepontine cistern and aqueduct at the time of ventriculoscopy was prospectively recorded in 403 children in whom an ETV had been completed. Kaplan-Meier methods were used to construct survival curves. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to provide estimates of HRs for the time to ETV failure. Several independent variables were tested in a single multivariable model, including those previously shown to be associated with ETV survival, that is, age, hydrocephalus etiology, and extent of choroid plexus cauterization (CPC). In addition, intraoperative variables of particular interest were included in the analysis: status of the aqueduct at surgery (closed vs open) and status of the prepontine cistern at surgery (scarred vs clean/unscarred). Multicollinearity was not a concern since the variance inflation factors for all variables were < 2. The examination of stratified survival curves confirmed the appropriateness of the proportional hazards assumption for each variable. Results Overall actuarial 3-year success was 57%. Consistent with previous results, age, hydrocephalus etiology, and extent of CPC were significantly associated with ETV success. A closed aqueduct and an unscarred cistern were each independently associated with significantly better ETV success (HRs of 0.66 and 0.44, respectively). The presence of cisternal scarring more than doubled the risk of ETV failure, and an open aqueduct increased the risk of failure by 50%. Conclusions Intraoperative observations of the aqueduct and prepontine cistern are independent predictors of the risk of ETV failure and can be used to further refine outcome predictions based on age, hydrocephalus etiology, and extent of CPC. Further studies will test validity in several African centers and determine what threshold of failure risk should prompt shunt placement at the initial operation.

Object Despite lower failure and infection rates compared with shunt placement, it has not been known whether endoscopic third ventriculostomy/choroid plexus cauterization (ETV/CPC) might be inferior in regard to neurocognitive development. This study is the first to describe neurocognitive outcome and ventricle volume in infants with hydrocephalus due to myelomeningocele that was treated primarily by ETV/CPC. Methods The modified Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID-III) test was administered to 93 children with spina bifida who were 5–52 months of age. Fifty-five of these children had been treated by ETV/CPC, 19 received ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts, and 19 had required no treatment for hydrocephalus. Raw scores were converted to scaled scores for comparison with age-corrected norms. Ventricular volume was assessed by frontal/occipital horn ratio (FOR) calculated from late postoperative CT scans. The mean values between and among groups of patients were compared using independent samples t-test and ANOVA. The comparison of mean values to population normal means was performed using the single-sample t-test. Linear regression analyses were performed using BSID scores as the dependent variables, with treatment group and ventricular size (FOR) as the independent variables. Probability values < 0.05 were considered significant. Results . There was no significant difference in mean age at assessment among groups (p = 0.8). The mean scale scores for untreated patients were no different from normal (all p > 0.27) in all portions of the BSID (excluding gross motor), and were generally significantly better than those for both VP shunt–treated and ETV/CPC groups. The ETV/ CPC-treated patients had nonsignificantly better mean scores than patients treated with VP shunts in all portions of the BSID (all p > 0.06), except receptive communication, which was significantly better for the ETV/CPC group (p = 0.02). The mean FOR was similar among groups, with no significant difference between the untreated group and either the VP shunt or ETV/CPC groups. The FOR did not correlate with performance. Conclusions The ETV/CPC and VP shunt groups had similar neurocognitive outcomes. Neurocognitive outcomes for infants not requiring treatment for hydrocephalus were normal and significantly better than in those requiring treatment. The mean ventricular volume was similar among all 3 groups, and significantly larger than normal. There was no association between FOR and performance. Stable mild-to-moderate ventriculomegaly alone should not trigger intervention in asymptomatic infants with spina bifida.

Epilepsy prevalence in the developing world is many fold that found in developed countries. For individuals whose conditions failed to respond to pharmacotherapy, surgery is the only opportunity for cure. In Uganda, we developed a center for treatment of intractable temporal lobe epilepsy (iTLE) that functions within the technologic and expertise constraints of a severely low resource area. Our model relies on partnership with epilepsy professionals and training of local staff. Patients were prescreened at regional clinics for iTLE. Individuals meeting inclusion criteria were referred to the treating Ugandan hospital (CURE Children's' Hospital of Uganda, CCHU) for video-EEG (electroencephalography), computed tomography (CT) imaging, and neuropsychological evaluation. Data were transferred to epilepsy experts for analysis and treatment recommendations. Ten patients were diagnosed with iTLE and surgically treated at CCHU. Six (60%) were seizure free, and there was no neurologic morbidity or mortality. Our model for surgical treatment of pharmacoresistant TLE has functioned successfully in a true developing world low resource setting.

Item does not contain fulltext We present an overview of the history, development, technological advancements, current application, and future trends of cranial endoscopy. Neuroendoscopy provides a safe and effective management modality for the treatment of a variety of intracranial disorders, either tumoral or non-tumoral, congenital, developmental, and degenerative, and its knowledge, indications, and limits are fundamental for the armamentarium of the modern neurosurgeon.

Object. The author investigated the 1-year outcomes for shunt treatment of hydrocephalic children in Uganda, comparing the results using the inexpensive Chhabra shunt ($35 US dollars), widely used in East Africa, with those using the Codman-Hakim Micro Precision Valve shunt ($650). Methods. The results in 195 consecutive children (mostly infants) in whom shunts were placed were studied prospectively. In Group 1, 90 patients randomly received either the Chhabra or Codman shunt as primary treatment for hydrocephalus. In Group 2, 105 patients received the Chhabra shunt when endoscopic third ventriculostomy could not be performed or had failed. The end points of the study were shunt malfunction, shunt migration, wound complication, death, or no problem at 1 year. Of all patients, 9.7% were lost to follow up and 15.9% died before 1 year. The occurrence of complications in all patients were infection (9.7%), migration/disconnection (6.3%), wound complication (5.7%), valve malfunction (3.4%), ventricular catheter obstruction (2.8%), and peritoneal catheter obstruction (1.1%). There was no statistically significant difference in any outcome category for patients receiving the Codman or Chhabra shunt (p = 0.2463‐1.0000). Conclusions. Ventriculoperitoneal shunt insertion for treatment of hydrocephalus can be performed in a developing country with results similar to those reported in developed countries. No difference in outcome was noted between the two shunt types. No advantage was found in using a shunt system that, in this setting, is prohibitively expensive.

Object. The aim of this prospective study was to investigate the causes of hydrocephalus in Uganda, the efficacy of endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) in this environment, and whether existing parameters could be used to guide patient selection. Methods. Three hundred consecutive children, 81.3% of whom were younger than 1 year of age, underwent ventriculoscopy preceding ETV as an initial treatment for hydrocephalus. In 179 patients (60%) the hydrocephalus was caused by a cerebrospinal fluid infection; in 76% of patients the infection had occurred in the 1st month of life. In 229 patients (76.3%) ETV was performed; 2% of patients were lost to follow up after less than 1 month and the surgical mortality rate was 1.8%. The first ETV was successful in 115 patients (52%); the mean follow-up period was 15.2 months. The mean time to repeated operation following a failed ETV was 1.5 months. Sixty-five patients underwent a second endoscopy; 37 underwent a second ETV, of which 14 procedures (38%) were successful (mean follow-up period 12.25 months). The overall success rate for ETV was 59%. Among patients older than 1 year of age, the procedure was successful in 22 (81%) of 27 with postinfectious hydrocephalus (PIHC) and 18 (90%) of 20 with nonpostinfectious hydrocephalus (NPIHC). The success rate of ETV among those patients younger than 1 year of age was 59% (60 of 101) for patients suffering from PIHC and 40% (21 of 52) for those suffering from NPIHC. Age correlated with success for NPIHC (p = 0.0002) and PIHC (p = 0.0421). The success rate of the surgery for pa tients with myelomeningocele and hydrocephalus who were younger than 1 year of age was 40% (eight of 20). The success rate of the surgery for PIHC in infants younger than 1 year of age was 70% (44 of 63) among patients with aqueductal obstruction but 45% (14 of 31) among patients with aqueductal patency (p = 0.0254). Fourth ventricular size as demonstrated on cranial ultrasonography or computerized tomography scanning predicted whether the aqueduct was patent (p = 0.0001). Conclusions. Infection is the most common cause of hydrocephalus in Uganda. In all children older than 1 year of age and in those younger than 1 year of age with PICH and aqueductal obstruction, which was reliably predicted by cranial ultrasonography, ETV was effective.

OBJECT The incidence of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) due to mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS) can be high in developing countries. Current diagnosis of MTS relies on structural MRI, which is generally unavailable in developing world settings. Given widespread effects on temporal lobe structure beyond hippocampal atrophy in TLE, the authors propose that CT volumetric analysis can be used in patient selection to help predict outcomes following resection. METHODS Ten pediatric patients received preoperative CT scans and temporal resections at the CURE Children's Hospital of Uganda. Engel classification of seizure control was determined 12 months postoperatively. Temporal lobe volumes were measured from CT and from normative MR images using the Cavalieri method. Whole brain and fluid volumes were measured using particle filter segmentation. Linear discrimination analysis (LDA) was used to classify seizure outcome by temporal lobe volumes and normalized brain volume. RESULTS Epilepsy patients showed normal to small brain volumes and small temporal lobes bilaterally. A multivariate measure of the volume of each temporal lobe separated patients who were seizure free (Engel Class IA) from those with incomplete seizure control (Engel Class IB/IIB) with LDA (p < 0.01). Temporal lobe volumes also separate normal subjects, patients with Engel Class IA outcomes, and patients with Class IB/IIB outcomes (p < 0.01). Additionally, the authors demonstrated that age-normalized whole brain volume, in combination with temporal lobe volumes, may further improve outcome prediction (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS This study shows strong evidence that temporal lobe and brain volume can be predictive of seizure outcome following temporal lobe resection, and that volumetric CT analysis of the temporal lobe may be feasible in lieu of structural MRI when the latter is unavailable. Furthermore, since the authors' methods are modality independent, these findings suggest that temporal lobe and normative brain volumes may further be useful in the selection of patients for temporal lobe resection when structural MRI is available.

OBJECT The role of reopening an obstructed endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) as treatment for ETV failure is not well defined. The authors studied 215 children with ETV closure who underwent successful repeat ETV to determine the indications, long-term success, and factors affecting outcome. METHODS The authors retrospectively reviewed the CURE Children's Hospital of Uganda database from August 2001 through December 2012, identifying 215 children with failed ETV (with or without prior choroid plexus cauterization [CPC]) who underwent reopening of an obstructed ETV stoma. Treatment survival according to sex, age at first and second operation, time to failure of first operation, etiology of hydrocephalus, prior CPC, and mode of ETV obstruction (simple stoma closure, second membrane, or cisternal obstruction from arachnoid scarring) were assessed using the Kaplan-Meier survival method. Survival differences among groups were assessed using log-rank and Wilcoxon methods and a Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS There were 125 boys and 90 girls with mean and median ages of 229 and 92 days, respectively, at the initial ETV. Mean and median ages at repeat ETV were 347 and 180 days, respectively. Postinfectious hydrocephalus (PIH) was the etiology in 126 patients, and nonpostinfectious hydrocephalus (NPIH) in 89. Overall estimated 7-year success for repeat ETV was 51%. Sex (p = 0.46, log-rank test; p = 0.54, Wilcoxon test), age (< vs > 6 months) at initial or repeat ETV (p = 0.08 initial, p = 0.13 repeat; log-rank test), and type of ETV obstruction (p = 0.61, log-rank test) did not affect outcome for repeat ETV (p values ≥ 0.05, Cox regression). Those with a longer time to failure of initial ETV (> 6 months 91%, 3–6 months 60%, < 3 months 42%, p < 0.01; log-rank test), postinfectious etiology (PIH 58% vs NPIH 42%, p = 0.02; log-rank and Wilcoxon tests) and prior CPC (p = 0.03, log-rank and Wilcoxon tests) had significantly better outcome. CONCLUSIONS Repeat ETV was successful in half of the patients overall, and was more successful in association with later failures, prior CPC, and PIH. Obstruction of the original ETV by secondary arachnoid scarring was not a negative prognostic factor, and should not discourage the surgeon from proceeding. Repeat ETV may be a more durable solution to failed ETV/CPC than shunt placement in this context, especially for failures at more than 3 months after the initial ETV. Some ETV closures may result from an inflammatory response that is less robust at the second operation.

Background: ETV/CPC has become an increasingly common technique for the treatment of infant hydrocephalus. Both flexible and rigid neuroendoscopy can be used, with little empirical evidence directly comparing the two. We, therefore, used a propensity-matched cohort and survival analysis to assess the comparative efficacy of flexible and rigid neuroendoscopy. Methods: Individual data were collected through retrospective review of infants < 2 years of age, treated at one of 2 hospitals: 1) Boston Children’s Hospital, exclusively utilizing flexible neuroendoscopy, and 2) Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, exclusively utilizing rigid neuroendoscopy. Patient characteristics and post-operative outcome were assessed. A propensity score (PS) model was developed to balance patient characteristics in the case mix. Results: A PS model was developed with 5 independent variables: chronological age, sex, hydrocephalus etiology, prior CSF diversion, and prepontine scarring. PS analysis revealed that compared to flexible neuroendoscopy, rigid neuroendoscopy had an ETV/CPC failure OR of 1.43 and 1.31 respectively, compared to unadjusted OR of 2.40. Furthermore, in a Cox regression analysis controlled by propensity score, rigid neuroendoscopy had a HR of 1.10, compared to unadjusted HR of 1.61. Conclusions: Much of the difference in ETV/CPC outcome between endoscopy types is attributed to the case mix. An observational study or randomized controlled trial is required to provide evidence-based guidelines.

Object Combined endoscopic third ventriculostomy with choroid plexus cauterization (ETV/CPC) enhances the likelihood of shunt freedom over ETV alone, and thus avoidance of shunt-related morbidity, in hydrocephalic infants. To date, virtually all published reports describe experiences in Africa, thus hampering generalization to other parts of the world. Here, the authors report the first North American prospective series of this combined approach to treat hydrocephalus of various etiologies in infants. Methods A prospective series of 50 boys and 41 girls (mean and median ages 4.7 and 3.2 months, respectively) with hydrocephalus underwent ETV/CPC performed by the senior author at Boston Children's Hospital from August 2009 through March 2014. Success data were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards model. Results The 91 patients treated included those with aqueductal stenosis (23), myelomeningocele (23), posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus (25), Dandy-Walker complex (6), post-infectious hydrocephalus (6), and other conditions (8). Using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, 57% of patients required no further hydrocephalus treatment at 1 year. Moreover, 65% remained shunt free to the limit of available follow-up (maximum roughly 4 years). A Cox proportional hazards model identified the following independent predictors of ETV/CPC failure: post-infectious etiology, age at treatment younger than 6 months, prepontine cistern scarring, and prior CSF diversion. Of patients with at least 6 months of follow-up, the overall ETV/CPC success at 6 months (59%) exceeded that predicted by the ETV Success Score (45%). Complications included 1 CSF leak and 1 transient syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion, and there were no deaths. Conclusions ETV/CPC is an effective, safe, and durable treatment for infant hydrocephalus in a North American population, with 1-year success rates similar to those reported in Africa and equivalent to those for primary shunt placement in North America. These findings underscore the need for prospective multicenter studies of the outcomes, quality of life, and economic impact of the procedure compared with primary shunt insertion.

Several surgical training simulators have been created to improve the learning curve of residents in neurosurgery and plastic surgery. Laboratory training is fundamental for acquiring familiarity with the techniques of surgery and the skill in handling instruments. The aim of this study is to present a novel simulator for training in the technique of craniosynostectomy, specifically for the scaphocephaly type. This realistic simulator was built with a synthetic thermo-retractile and thermo-sensible rubber which, when combined with different polymers, produces more than 30 different formulas. These formulas present textures, consistencies, and mechanical resistance similar to many human tissues. Fiberglass molds in the shape of the skull constitute the basic structure of the craniosynostectomy training module. It has been possible to perform computerized tomography images due to the radiopacity of this simulator and to compare the pre- and postoperative images. The authors present a training model to practice the biparietal remodeling used in scaphocephaly correction. All aspects of the procedure are simulated: the skin incision, the subcutaneous and subperiosteal dissection, the osteotomies, and finally, the skull remodeling with absorbable microplates. The presence of superior sagittal sinus can simulate emergency situations with bleeding. The authors conclude that this training model can represent a fairly useful method to accustom trainees to the required surgical techniques and simulates well the steps of standard surgery for scaphocephaly. This training provides an alternative to the use of human cadavers and animal models. Furthermore, it can represent the anatomical alteration precisely as well as intraoperative emergency situations.

The ability to perform a ‘selective’ dorsal rhizotomy has been challenged. EMG responses are inconsistent and often do not represent reflex responses. We perform nonselective partial dorsal rhizotomy (NSPDR) when reflex response is not evident. Ten children undergoing primarily NSPDR were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively with the Modified Ashworth Scale, gait lab analyses gross motor function measure and the NSPDR was performed by nonselectively sectioning 50–75% of the dorsal roots not demonstrating a reflex response. Standard selective rhizotomy was performed in the remainder. Only 17 of 106 (16%) dorsal roots demonstrated reflex responses. The results reported in this study demonstrate a benefit to patients undergoing primarily NSPDR which is similar to that reported for patients in whom a selective procedure was intended.

Background. It is reasonable to propose that competence is a multifaceted characteristic defined in part by some minimum level of knowledge and skill. In this study we examined the relationship between surgical faculty's judgment of clinical competence, as measured by a surgical resident objective structured clinical examination (OSCE), and the residents' objective performance on the skills being tested. Methods. Fifty-six general surgery residents at all levels of training participated in a 30-station OSCE. At the completion of each station, the faculty proctor made several overall judgments regarding each resident's performance, including a global judgment of competent or not competent. The competence judgment was applied to the objective percentage performance score in three different ways to construct methods for determining competence based solely upon this objective percentage score. Results. The average mean competent score (MCS) across the stations was 61%, and the average mean noncompetent score (MNCS) was 38%. The difference between MCS and MNCS for each station was very consistent. Upper threshold scores above which a judgment of competent was always made, and lower threshold scores below which a judgment of noncompetent was always made were observed. Overall, the average mean and threshold scores for competent and noncompetent groups were remarkably similar. For performance scores in the range between the threshold competent and noncompetent scores at each station, measures other than objective performance on the skills being evaluated determined the judgment of competent or not competent. Conclusions. Empirically determined minimum acceptable standards for objective performance in clinical skills and knowledge appeared to have been subconsciously applied to the competence judgment by the faculty evaluators in this study. Other factors appeared to have become determinate when the objective performance score fell within a range of uncertainty.