Intraventricular transplantation of omentum for treatment of hydrocephalus. An experimental study in dogs.

In 17 mongrel dogs an experimental non-communicating hydrocephalus was developed by intracisternal injection of kaolin solution. In 10 of them a portion of omentum was isolated and after suturing end-to-end and the vascular pedicle to the temporal artery and vein the graft was introduced transcortically into the lateral ventricle. Metrizamide ventriculography, intraventricular basal and pulse pressure amplitude, compliance and resistance to CSF drainage were performed to evaluate related changes after surgery. Brain and omentum specimens were submitted for pathological studies. In summary, intraventricular omentum transplantation reduced intracranial pressure, compliance and resistance in experimental hydrocephalus whereas ventricular size remained unchanged. Pathological studies showed graft survival in most animals.