Experience with Lumbar Puncture Following Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy for Obstructive Hydrocephalus.

The increase in intracranial pressure (ICP) in some patients in the immediate postoperative period following endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) is not well understood. This study explored the effect of lumbar puncture following ETV for obstructive hydrocephalus on outcome.  A total of 145 patients with obstructive hydrocephalus underwent ETV between 2009 and 2014. Following ETV, all patients underwent lumbar puncture on postoperative days 1 and 3.  In 106 patients, ICP returned to normal levels accompanied by symptom relief. In 39 patients, ICP remained high on postoperative days 3, and lumbar puncture was continued every alternate postoperative day for 11 days. ICP always returned to normal. These 39 patients were divided into two groups for analysis: group A (age < 18 years) and group B (age ≥ 18 years). Peak values of ICP for groups A and B were recorded on days 3 and 5, respectively.  Our study suggests an important role for postoperative lumbar puncture in ensuring successful treatment results after ETV. In most of the symptomatic patients with obstructive hydrocephalus, lumbar puncture appears to contribute to rapid ICP normalization, to alleviation of symptoms, and prevention of complications.